$Unique_ID{PAR00137}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Rashes}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Rash Rashes Red patch patches blister blisters skin spots itching
calamine lotion eruption eruptions exposure sun heat cold chemical chemicals
foods food allergy German measles rubella chicken pox shingles sexually
transmitted disease diseases std herpes syphilis allergies allergic itch
scratch scratching}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Rashes


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOM
     - Red patches, blisters, or spots on the skin

     HOME CARE
     - If the 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
       caused by a disease will be accompanied by other symptoms.


     A rash is a skin eruption that 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 certain fabrics, such as wool.  Certain foods (for
example, strawberries) also produce rashes in people who are allergic to them.
     A rash can also appear as a characteristic symptom of a disease.  For
example, distinctive rashes appear as symptoms of many infectious diseases,
such as measles, rubella (German measles), chicken pox, and shingles.  Certain
sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes and syphilis, also display
distinctive rashes.
     A rash generally 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
(such as fever or swollen lymph glands).

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 or 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 examined by a doctor.  You can avoid the allergy-causing substance
in the future only 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 more than 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.  If an allergy is suspected, the doctor will try to identify the
causative substance.  If a disease is most likely the cause, the doctor will
diagnose and treat it.

RELATED TOPICS:  Chicken pox; Diaper rash; Eczema; Fifth disease; Food
allergies; Hand, foot, and mouth disease; Heat rash; Herpes simplex; Hives;
Impetigo; Measles; Molluscum contagiosum; Pityriasis rosea; Poison ivy;
Ringworm; Rocky Mountain spotted fever; Roseola; Rubella; Shingles