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Slideshow: 12 Common Childhood Rashes

by James Hubbard, MD, MPH

12 Common Childhood Rashes | The Survival Doctor

Photo of baby by Jacob Johan, hand photo by Marc van der Chijs, leg photo by Care_SMC—all on Flickr.

Rash: One word for so many problems. A rash can indicate a simple irritation a bath can soothe, a life-threatening disease, or many things in between. And sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.

This slideshow has pictures of common childhood rashes, but this is for general information. In your case, the rash may not look like it does in these photos. And as you’ll see, one rash can easily be confused with another.

This blog gives ideas for what to do when getting to a doctor is difficult or impossible. But children with rashes are special creatures. They can seem fine and get sick quickly. See a doctor if you can.

Now, on to the rashes!

>> Rash 1

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jacqueline

my 16 year old daughter has purple spots rash all ovewr her legs and arms only,no where else,she has had blood tests all come back normal,she has had this for ten days now and its starting to spread anyone have any ideas what this could be as doctors and hospital are baffeld to what it can be but obviously something isnt rite with her
- http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/ James Hubbard, MD, MPH
  
  I understand your concern, but I can’t do better than a doctor who has actually seen her. Perhaps you should get a second opinion, from a pediatrician or a dermatologist.
Raquel n.

My daughter is going to be 9 months. Shes been feverish for 3 days now went to see a pediatrican n he told us she has a virus disnt tell us what kind but it worries me…now my daughter has light pink rash on her from face to tussie…. she’s feeding n sleeping fine….should I be worried or take her to the doctors….I am a 1st time mom….
- http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/ James Hubbard, MD, MPH
  
  What you describe is certainly consistent with a virus. Does it look like the one on page 11?
jenlex

Hi my 9 yr old daughter was diagnosed with strep last Sunday been on amoxicilin . Today she’s developed a rash all over body. I have lpictures. Any ideas what this could be from
- http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/ James Hubbard, MD, MPH
  
  If there’s hive (welts) swelling, or shortness of breath, then maybe it is an allergic reaction that should be seen right away. But, from what you describe, it’s very likely a non-allergic rash from the amoxicillin. Some medicines, like amoxicillin can give you a rash that’s not really a dangerous allergic reaction, but something you should call and talk to your doctor about. Meanwhile, stop the amoxicillin.
  - jenlex
    
    Okay the rash is getting worse and her ear is swollen from the rash. Im taking her to doctors in morning. She doesnt want to go so i dont know if she is just telling me what i want to hear. Very worried
    - jenlex
      - jenlex
        
        It was a severe allergic reaction to the amoxicillin
      - http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/ James Hubbard, MD, MPH
        
        Thanks for the feedback. How is she doing now?
      - jenlex
        
        They gave her a big dose of steroids. No improvement on the rash. If anything its getting worse. Still really worries me. How long should it take to see improvements
      - http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/ James Hubbard, MD, MPH
        
        As far as the rash, it could take a few days to a week or two. The other symptoms, such as swelling should, however be better already. Hopefully they gave you warning signs to look for and a follow-up if needed.
      - jenlex
        
        Yea they did. Problems breathing or swallowing. Thank u for your help. Very much appreciated
http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/ James Hubbard, MD, MPH

Margie, I’d take one of them in for a strep test (scarlet fever is strep with a rash and would need antbiotics.) Ask your doctor, but it sounds like they all have the same type of infection.
Margie

Does this sound like scarlet fever? My youngest had a fever for 3 solid days. Loss of appetite, threw up once right after breakfast, and sharted once, but mostly feverish. He is back to normal today; no trip to doctor. My 9 yr old, however, came down with a fever and sore throat the night before last. Loss of appetite, weak at times; his main complaint is his sore throat. Last night he developed a rash that started on his palms, this morning it’s noticeable on his forearms, inside his elbows, and barely in his armpits. Not anywhere else. My 4 yr old now woke up with a fever and sore throat. I’m going on the assumption that the other two picked up what the 3 yr old had and it will run it’s course without a trip to the doctor. Does this sound logical, or should I take the 9 yr old in with suspected scarlet fever? Throat is red and swollen, tonsils MIGHT have a bit of milkiness to them, but they don’t look like pictures of strep throat. Thanks.
http://thesurvivaldoctor.com/ James Hubbard, MD, MPH

Josh, take him to his regular doctor or to a reputable pediatrician. Although viruses can last a good 7 days, and it sounds like he’s keeping down fluids ok, I’m not sure about the hives. If he is allergic to something, you need to find out what so he can avoid it. Anyway, unless he stops the fever and hives, I would get him seen before the weekend. ERs are concerned with emergencies. Clinics are much better for things like this. Especially if he has a regular doctor.
Josh T

Hi, my 18 month old son started getting hives in random spots on his body. He also has a fever that spikes around 102. He has diarrhea as well. This has been going on for 6 days now. We took him to the ER and they gave us Benadryl saying it was an allergic reaction of some type. Anyhow, the hives are still coming and going, he gets very ichy at night all over, and has the fever at random times during the day. We’ve been pushing the fluids/pedialyte and the like. We are just starting to get concerned as the symptoms are staying the same and are starting to react less to the Benadryl. Any advice would be awesome. Thanks!
amber cubberley

My son is 14 months he has had a fever over 103 for about three days. Woke up today withno fever but horrible rash flat and very red. He keeps itching at it. Not eating or deinking normal, help.
- http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
  
  Amber, I can’t diagnose your child specifically. If the rash doesn’t fade in a few days, or the fever continues tomorrow, or he’s not eating or drinking tommorrow, he needs to see a doctor. Sooner if he gets worse. Look at my post pictures. If you see one that fits, link for more reading. In general, Roseola presents with a high fever for 2-3 days, then there’s a rash but it usually doesn’t itch. Also, some nonspecific viruses can cause fever followed by an itchy rash.
Christi Nash

My daughter has small bumps in the axillary area on her right side. It is only in this one area and there are about 15 bumps. I’ve used cortisone on them, but they are still there. The bumps when left alone are the same tone as her skin and just look like raised tip-of-a-pin size bumps. If she scratches them, they turn red, or open. Then they heal and turn back into the skin colored raised bump. I have pictures that I could send. If you have any suggestions that would be great They don’t bother her except a little itching here and there.
- http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
  
  Christi, I can’t make a specific diagnosis without seeing her, but it sounds like pilaris keratosis. Here’s a link to more on that http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/keratosis-pilaris/DS00769 or you can just google it.
Ans

I have a 3 1/2 YO son. On Friday (2/22) my son suddenly came down with a fever of 102 F right around bed time. He had no other symptoms. The next morning he woke up fever free and seemed fine. I noticed that his urine had a very strong smell which has continued still although it has improved some. I’ve never noticed this strong smell before. Last Saturday (3/2) a rash appeared on his body that has now spread all over. It is very small, red, raised bumps that do not seem to bother him. He has had no other symptoms whatsoever except the strong urine. I just saw your article about rashes with Scarlet Fever and noticed that you stated it could come with no [typical] symptoms and it could even be in the urine. I also tended to get strep on my skin as a child and wondered what your thoughts were on this and could you tell me more about strep in the urine. Any advice would help. Thanks!
- http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
  
  Ans, strep in the urine is pretty rare and would probably cause fever. However, it sounds like it’s time you took him in for a checkup.

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