Rash or Redness - Widespread

Is this your child's symptom?

• Red or pink rash over large parts or most of the body (widespread)
• Sometimes, just on hands, feet and buttocks - but same on both sides of body
• Small spots, large spots or solid red skin

If NOT, try one of these:
• Chickenpox
• Eczema
• Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Viral Rash
• Heat Rash
• Hives
• Immunization Reactions
• Roseola-Viral Rash
• Sunburn

Causes of Widespread Rash or Redness

• Viral Rash. Most rashes are part of a viral illness. Viral rashes usually have small pink spots. They occur on both sides of the chest, stomach and back. Your child may also have a fever with some diarrhea or cold symptoms. They last 2 or 3 days. More common in the summer.
• Roseola is the most common viral rash in the first 3 years of life. (see details below).
• Chickenpox is a viral rash with a distinctive pattern. (see that Care Guide)
• Hand-Foot and-Mouth Disease is a viral rash with a distinctive pattern. It starts with tiny red spots and blisters on the palms and soles. (see that Care Guide)
• Measles. The measles virus is becoming more common among young children who do not get the routine childhood vaccinations including the MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) shot. Symptoms include fever, red eyes, runny nose, cough, and spots on the inside cheeks. A red blotchy rash appears around day 3 of the illness, first on the face and then on other areas.
• Mpox (Monkeypox) is a rare viral rash that often starts on the face or genital area. It then spreads to the arms and legs. Not usually seen in children unless someone in the home has mpox.
• Scarlet Fever. Scarlet Fever is a speckled, red rash all over. Has a sandpaper feel. Caused by the Strep bacteria. Starts on upper chest and quickly spreads to lower chest and stomach. No more serious than a Strep throat infection without a rash.
• Drug Rash. Most rashes that start while taking an antibiotic are viral rashes. Only 10% turn out to be allergic drug rashes. (see details below)
• Hives. Raised pink bumps with pale centers. Hives look like mosquito bites. Rashes that are bumpy and itchy are often hives. Most cases of hives are caused by a virus. Hives can also be an allergic reaction. (see that Care Guide for details)
• Heat Rash. A fine pink rash caused by overheating. Mainly involves neck, chest and upper back.
• Insect Bites cause small red bumps. Flying insects can cause many bumps on exposed skin. Non-flying insects are more likely to cause localized bumps.
• Hot Tub Rash causes small red bumps that are painful and itchy. Mainly occurs on skin covered by a bathing suit. Rash starts 12-48 hours after being in hot tub. Caused by overgrowth of bacteria in hot tubs.
• Petechiae Rash (serious). Petechiae are purple or dark red colored tiny dots. They come from bleeding into the skin. Scattered petechiae with a fever are caused by Meningococcemia until proven otherwise. This is a life-threatening bacterial infection of the bloodstream. Peak age is 3 to 6 months old. Unlike most pink rashes, petechiae don't fade when pressed on.
• Purpura Rash (serious). Purpura means bleeding into the skin. It looks like purple or dark red larger spots. Widespread purpura is always an emergency. It can be caused by a bacterial bloodstream infection. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is an example.
• Blister Rash (serious). Widespread blisters on the skin are a serious sign. It can be caused by infections or drugs. Stevens Johnson Syndrome is an example.
• Caution. All widespread rashes with fever need to be seen. They need to be diagnosed. Reason: some serious infections that can cause this type of rash.

Drugs and Rashes

• Prescription medicines sometimes cause widespread rashes. Some are allergic, but most are not.
• Non-prescription (OTC) medicines rarely cause any rashes.
• Most rashes that occur while taking an OTC medicine are viral rashes.
• Fever medicines (acetaminophen and ibuprofen) cause the most needless worry. Reason: most viral rashes start with a fever. Hence, the child is taking a fever medicine when the rash starts.
• Drug rashes can't be diagnosed over the phone.

Roseola - A Classic Rash

• Most children get Roseola between 6 months and 3 years of age.
• Rash: pink, small, flat spots on the chest and stomach. Then spreads to the face.
• Classic feature: 3 to 5 days of high fever without a rash or other symptoms.
• The rash starts 12 to 24 hours after the fever goes away.
• The rash lasts 1 to 3 days.
• By the time the rash appears, the child feels fine.
• Treatment:  the rash is harmless. Creams or medicines are not needed.

Localized Versus Widespread Rash: How to Decide

• Localized means the rash occurs on one small part of the body. Usually, the rash is just on one side of the body. An example is a rash on 1 foot. Exceptions: athlete's foot can occur on both feet. Insect bites can be scattered.
• Widespread means the rash occurs on larger areas. Examples are both legs or the entire back. Widespread can also mean on most of the body surface. Widespread rashes always occur on matching (both) sides of the body. Many viral rashes are on the chest, stomach and back.
• The cause of a widespread rash usually spreads through the blood stream. Examples are rashes caused by viruses, bacteria, toxins, and food or drug allergies.
• The cause of a localized rash usually is just from contact with the skin. Examples are rashes caused by chemicals, allergens, insect bites, ringworm fungus, bacteria or irritants.
• This is why it's important to make this distinction.