CHILDREN’S HEALTH: RASH

Symptom

Red patches, blisters, or spots on the skin

Home care

If die rash causes itching, have the child take warm baths, or apply a soothing lotion such as calamine.

Precautions

- Do not be concerned about a rash that disappears within a few days and does not recur.

- Certain distinctive rashes are symptoms of specific diseases. A rash that j is a symptom of a disease will disappear when the disease is identified and treated.

A rash is a skin eruption which appears as red patches, blisters, or spots. It is often accompanied by itching. A rash can affect a limited area or be widespread over extensive areas of the body.

A rash can be caused by exposure to the sun, heat, cold, chemicals in household products, or fabrics such as wool. Certain foods – strawberries, for example – also produce rashes in people who are sensitive (allergic) to that particular food. These rashes are often known as allergic rashes; the rash is a symptom of the allergy.

A rash can also appear as a symptom of a disease, in which case the rash is usually characteristic of the disease producing it. Distinctive rashes appear as symptoms of (among other diseases) measles, rubella (German measles), chicken pox, and shingles, all of which are infectious diseases. Certain sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes and syphilis also display distinctive rashes.

A rash often disappears when its underlying cause disappears or is successfully treated.

Signs and symptoms

The rash itself is obvious, but the cause may not be so easily identified. A rash caused by a disease will be accompanied by other symptoms.

Home care

You need not be too concerned about a rash that appears and then disappears within a couple of days and does not recur. If the rash causes itching you can apply a soothing lotion like calamine. Another suggestion is to have the child take a warm bath. A rash that recurs may indicate an allergy. If you cannot immediately identify the allergy-causing substance (a certain food, for instance), have the child checked out by a doctor. You can only avoid the allergy-causing substance in the future if you know what it is. If the child has a rash accompanied by other symptoms, consult the doctor.

Precautions

• A rash that lasts for a few days and has no identifiable cause should be seen by a doctor.

• Certain types of rashes are warning signs of specific infectious or sexually transmitted diseases.

Medical treatment

The doctor may prescribe a soothing lotion for minor itching caused by a rash. In allergy-caused rashes the doctor will try to identify the allergy-causing substance. If the rash is caused by a disease, the doctor will diagnose and treat the disease.