The Prep School Daily blog has covered numerous illnesses and conditions with a rash as one of the symptoms. And sometimes the rash location, appearance, or other characteristic is quite diagnostic in determining what illness ails the patient. The problem is, with so many diseases with rashes, looking up each one in the index is a pain. So this article and the ones following will provide a quick description of the rash alone. There are numerous other symptoms for these illnesses. If you want to learn other symptoms or how a physician might treat it, search for that particular disease in the search bar on the right.
Childhood Diseases
Chickenpox. A low-grade fever is followed by the development of the classic rash which appears as many small, red, itchy spots about 2-3 weeks after the patient is exposed to another person who has the disease. These spots then develop into little pimples or pus-filled blisters which subsequently rupture and then scab over. They usually begin on the trunk of the body and then erupt on the face, arms, and legs. The spots, blisters, and scabs may all be present at the same time.[1]
Fifth disease. Flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, runny nose, headache) may occur 7 days before the rash appears. Nicknamed “slapped cheek” syndrome because of the raised red rash on the cheeks (usually only in children), the arms, legs, and trunk may also display a red, spotty, or lace-like rash that comes and goes for several weeks, especially when exposed to heat (sunlight, bathing in warm water).[2]
German measles. The first sign usually is a rose-pink rash that does not appear until the fourth day, which may resemble measles or scarlet fever. However, there is no sore throat or pallor around the mouth as found in scarlet fever.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease. The rash and blisters may develop on the palms of the patient’s hand, on the fingers, buttocks, and/or on the soles of the feet. The rash is not itchy, but sometimes it has blisters. The blisters may appear red, white, or gray, or only look like tiny bumps, depending on the skin tone.[3]
Measles. The reddish rash with slightly raised irregular blotch patches starts on the forehead and behind the ears, and gradually spreads to the face, body, and limbs. The rash remains about 4-5 days, then fades from the body regions in the same sequence that it appeared. This is followed by a fine peeling of the skin. As the rash disappears, the temperature returns to normal.[4]
Roseola. A pink, rosy rash usually develops as the fever resolves. The rash first develops on the neck and chest and then spreads to the rest of the body. The rash spots turn white when gently pressed. They may have a lighter color ring around them, and the rash generally lasts a few hours up to two days.[5]
Scarlet fever. The typical rash does not appear until later—12 to 36 hours or more after other symptoms occur. The rash is most intense at the creases of the body, such as the groins and armpits. The face is relatively free of it. The rash consists of pinpoint red spots scattered on a flushed skin. Occasionally, the spots may be so elevated that they can be felt with the hand. A sign of less importance, the so-called “strawberry tongue,” is a furring of the tongue with prominent red, pinpoint spots at the edges.
[1] Stephen Harrod Buhner, Herbal Antivirals, 2013, 102.
[2] http://www.bccdc.ca/schools/Documents/EN_Guide_Childhood_Diseases.pdf
[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353035
[4] The Ship's Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea, 1978, 180-181.
[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/roseola/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377289
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