Child rash on torso and back no fever
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
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. This is the most common viral rash in the first 3 years of life. (See details below).
- Chickenpox. A viral rash with a distinctive pattern. (see that Care Guide)
- Hand-Foot and-Mouth Disease. 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.
- Monkeypox. 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 monkeypox.
- 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. 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.
When to Call for Rash or Redness - Widespread
Call 911 Now
- Purple or blood-colored spots or tiny dots with fever within the last 24 hours
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- Not moving or too weak to stand
- You think your child has a life-threatening emergency
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Bright red skin that peels off in sheets
- Large blisters on skin
- Bloody crusts on the lips
- Taking a prescription medication within the last 3 days
- Fever
- Your daughter is having her period and using tampons
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Widespread rash, but none of the symptoms above. Reason: all widespread rashes need to be checked by a doctor.
Seattle Children's Urgent Care Locations
If your child’s illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.
- Bellevue
- Everett
- Federal Way
- Seattle
Care Advice for Widespread Rashes
- What You Should Know About Widespread Rashes:
- Most rashes with small pink spots all over are part of a viral illness.
- This is more likely if your child has a fever. Other symptoms (like diarrhea) also point to a viral rash.
- Here is some care advice that should help until you talk with your doctor.
- Non-Itchy Rash Treatment:
- If you suspect a heat rash, give a cool bath.
- Otherwise, no treatment is needed.
- Itchy Rash Treatment:
- Wash the skin once with soap to remove any irritants.
- Steroid Cream. For relief of itching, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). Put it on the most itchy areas. No prescription is needed. Do this 3 times per day.
- Cool Bath. For flare-ups of itching, give your child a cool bath. Do not use soap. Do this for 10 minutes. Caution: avoid any chill. Option: Can add 2 ounces (60 mL) of baking soda per tub.
- Scratching. Try to keep your child from scratching. Cut the fingernails short. Reason: prevents a skin infection from bacteria.
- Allergy Medicine for Itching. If itching becomes severe, give an allergy medicine, such as Benadryl. No prescription is needed. Age limit: 1 and older. If needed longer than a few days, switch to a long-acting antihistamine, such as Zyrtec. Age limit: 2 and older.
- Fever Medicine:
- For fevers above 102° F (39° C), give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
- Note: Fevers less than 102° F (39° C) are important for fighting infections.
- For all fevers: Keep your child well hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.
- Return to School:
- Most viral rashes can be spread to others (especially if a fever is present).
- If your child has a fever, avoid contact with other children. Also, avoid pregnant women until a diagnosis is made.
- For minor rashes, your child can return after the fever is gone.
- For major rashes, your child can return to school after the rash is gone. If your doctor has given medical clearance, your child can return sooner.
- What to Expect:
- Most viral rashes go away within 48 hours.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Last Reviewed: 02/10/2023
Last Revised: 01/24/2023
Copyright 2000-2023. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.
Viral rash in toddler with no fever: Diagnosis, types, and treatments
Toddlers can develop a rash as a result of a viral infection. Although fever is a common symptom of viral infections, not all toddlers with a viral rash also experience fever.
In this article, we discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of a viral rash with no fever in toddlers.
Toddlers can develop a rash as a result of a viral infection. The exact type of rash depends on the underlying cause. Below, we look at a few common viral rashes that occur in toddlers.
Roseola
Roseola, or sixth disease, is a viral infection resulting from human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). This condition is most common in infants and toddlers under 2 years of age.
Roseola causes a high fever of about 104°F (40°C) for 3–5 days. Once the fever drops, a distinctive rash appears on the torso. The rash contains raised bumps that may feel itchy or painful, and it may spread to the arms, neck, or face.
Other symptoms of roseola include:
- fatigue
- a headache
- irritability
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
- a cough
- inflammation of the eye
Treatment
There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for roseola. People can prevent the spread of roseola and HHV-6-related disease by:
- avoiding contact with people who have an HHV-6 infection
- keeping their child home when sick
- washing the hands thoroughly after interacting with a person who is sick
- washing bedding, clothing, and other items that the person came into contact with while sick
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, may help reduce a high fever. Treatment for a roseola rash usually involves bed rest and sufficient fluid intake.
Although most toddlers fully recover from roseola within 1–2 weeks, HHV-6 infections present some risk for complications, such as:
- encephalitis
- myocarditis
- hepatitis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- muscle damage
- low platelet count
Hand, foot, and mouth disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) occurs due to human enteroviruses (EV), most commonly coxsackievirus A16. HFMD typically affects infants and children younger than 5 years of age. However, adults can have HFMD if they did not have exposure to the viruses that cause it during childhood.
Although HFMD leads to fever in roughly 90% of people, a low percentage of children have no fever or accompanying symptoms.
HFMD typically causes an itchy rash on the hands, feet, and lining of the mouth and throat. The rash can consist of flat or raised bumps.
Toddlers with HFMD may exhibit:
- flu-like symptoms
- refusal to drink or eat
- excessive drooling
- severe fatigue
- irritability
Symptoms of HFMD usually resolve within 7–10 days.
Treatment
As with other viral infections, HFMD clears up on its own without medical treatment. However, people with HFMD should get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids to prevent dehydration. OTC pain medications can help reduce fever and relieve pain.
Rubella
Rubella is a contagious viral infection that affects children and adults. Rubella causes mild or unnoticeable symptoms in children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a red rash is often the first noticeable indication of rubella.
An estimated 50–80% of people with rubella develop a rash. A rubella rash starts on the face and neck, but it can spread to the chest, torso, and other areas of the body.
Rubella symptoms usually appear within 2–3 weeks of the initial infection. While some children develop a rash without additional symptoms, others may experience mild-to-moderate symptoms a few days before the rash appears.
Symptoms of rubella include:
- a headache
- redness or swelling of the whites of the eye
- physical discomfort
- a cough
- a runny nose
- swollen lymph nodes
- low grade fever
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for rubella, but the symptoms usually resolve once the immune system gets the viral infection under control. Bed rest and OTC medications can help alleviate headaches and fever.
Fifth disease
Fifth disease is a rash that results from a parvovirus B19 infection. It is more common in children than adults.
Fifth disease causes a bright red rash on the cheeks, which may be less apparent in people with darker skin. The rash may appear on other areas of the body, including the:
- arms
- legs
- back
- chest
- buttocks
Some people only develop the rash, while others experience other mild symptoms, such as:
- a headache
- fatigue
- a runny nose or congestion
- painful or swollen joints
- low grade fever
Treatment
Fifth disease typically clears up on its own. However, OTC anti-inflammatory drugs may help relieve joint pain and swelling.
Parents or caregivers should take a toddler to a doctor if they develop a skin rash alongside severe symptoms, such as:
- high fever
- vomiting
- a severe or intense headache
- a refusal to eat or drink
It is also important to seek medical attention if an infant or toddler under 6 months of age develops a new rash.
Toddlers and young children often develop viral rashes as their immune system continues developing. Most causes of viral rashes without fever are not serious and resolve within a few days to a week.
Parents or caregivers should consult a healthcare professional if a toddler has a rash that lasts longer than a week or if they develop new or worsening symptoms.
why it appears and what to do about it
Published:
A rash on a child's skin is an indication of a disorder in the child's body. Rashes with fever are often considered as a symptom of an infectious disease, a rash without fever can be triggered by other factors. To correctly identify the cause and deal with the problem faster, take the advice of Debra Jaliman, M.D. and Mia Armstrong.
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What diseases do children with rashes have? Rash can be caused by allergies, atopic dermatitis, ringworm, measles, scarlet fever, hives, chicken pox, eczema, and many other conditions. Serious cases requiring medical treatment are usually accompanied by high fever, itching, weakness, restlessness, loss of appetite, and other symptoms of intoxication.
What type of rash does a child have without fever? It can be an allergic rash, prickly heat, ringworm, hives, eczema and other causes.
Ringworm
Caused by a fungus and starts as a red scaly patch or bump. Then a distinct itchy red ring appears. The ring has raised, blistered, or scaly borders, explains Debra Jaliman, MD. Ringworm is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with a person or animal. Children can get it by using other people's towels or sports equipment. It is treated mainly with antifungal creams.
Prickly heat (heat rash)
Prickly heat appears when the child is hot and sweats. Accompanied by tingling or burning due to overheating, it itches a lot, but this is not dangerous. Some people call prickly heat diaper rash.
This rash looks like small red or pink pimples. The rash usually occurs on the head, neck and shoulders and in the natural folds of infants. The rash often appears when parents dress their child too warmly, warns Evan Starkman. Treatment consists in maintaining hygiene.
Contact dermatitis
Some children's skin reacts to touching food, soap or plants. The rash usually begins within 48 hours of skin contact with the allergen. Mild cases may cause mild redness or a rash of small red bumps. In severe cases, there is swelling, redness, and large blisters. This rash usually disappears after a week or two, but it can be treated with an anti-inflammatory hormone cream.
Child skin cream: FreepikEczema (atopic dermatitis)
Doctors don't know exactly what causes eczema. The most common type, atopic dermatitis, resembles an allergy. But skin irritation is not an allergic reaction, writes medical author Joseph Salling.
Watch for raised rash with dry skin and severe itching. As Jean Robinson writes, food allergies in children are associated with eczema. This increases the risk of complications in infants and brings discomfort to older children, so it is better to consult a doctor and use pharmacy products to improve skin condition.
Urticaria
Urticaria appears as itchy raised blisters on the skin. They are usually red, pink, or flesh-colored and sometimes cause pain, itching, and burning. In most cases, hives are caused by an allergic reaction to a drug, food, pollen, or insect stings, writes Kiara Anthony. Urticaria is usually treated at home. But call the doctor if your child has swelling around their mouth or is having trouble breathing. The pediatrician will prescribe antihistamines.
How can you tell an allergic rash from an infection? A rash in infectious diseases is accompanied by fever, weakness, muscle pain, loss of appetite. With allergies, in most cases, these symptoms are not observed, but itching is possible at the sites of rashes and redness around.
Baby scratching his neck: iStockPhotoNewborn acne
Baby acne usually appears 2-4 weeks after birth. Tiny red or white pimples appear on the child's cheeks, nose and forehead. The reason is unknown. Acne usually resolves on its own in about 3 to 4 months without leaving marks, writes Dr. Mia Armstrong. To get rid of baby acne faster, keep the baby's skin clean and do not use cosmetics.
Milia
Milia are small domed buds, usually white or yellow. They don't itch or hurt, but they can cause discomfort. Rough sheets or clothing will irritate and redden the milia. Cysts are usually found on the face, lips, eyelids, and cheeks, less commonly elsewhere on the body.
Unlike childhood acne, milia does not cause inflammation or swelling. Babies are usually born with milia, while baby acne doesn't appear until two to four weeks after birth, Trisha Kinman explains. Milia usually disappear within a few weeks.
Why does a rash appear on the abdomen and back of a child without fever? Rashes on the abdomen and back can occur due to an allergic reaction to food, household chemicals, materials, as well as due to poor hygiene and due to heat.
Rash without fever often occurs in children due to allergies, overheating, fungus, or no specific cause at all. Usually, rashes that are not accompanied by fever do not pose a danger to the health of the baby. However, in such cases, special skin care is required, and parents should monitor the condition of the rash. In case of deterioration, a doctor should be consulted.
Attention! The material is for informational purposes only. You should not resort to the methods of treatment described in it without first consulting a doctor.
Sources:
- Debra Jaliman. Images of Childhood Skin Problems // WebMD. - 2021. - 06 August. - Access mode: https://www.webmd.com/children/ss/slideshow-common-childhood-skin-problems
- Jean Robinson. The management of eczema in children // PubMed. - 2015. - 88(9):33-5 - Access mode: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26489250/
Reviewer - doctor of the highest category Mikhailenko Lyudmila Anatolyevna.
Original article: https://www.nur.kz/health/motherhood/1856460-syp-u-rebenka-bez-temperatury-vidy-foto-cto-delat/
Rash in a child on the body, legs, back
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