Children
can get rashes or spots with many illnesses. They are mostly
harmless and go away by themselves. Our good vaccination
programme means that a number of children's illnesses hardly
ever occur in the UK now. Unfortunately there are many children's
illnesses for which no vaccination exists. Most of them
are caused by a virus. They can neither be prevented nor
treated.
Note:
Pregnant women should avoid contact with people suffering
from Chicken Pox or Slapped Cheek Syndrome.
Chicken
pox
Chicken
pox has itchy spots which blister. The spots spread out
from the body to the arms and legs. Spots can even occur
in the mouth and eyes. They come out in batches every 4-6
hours.
Chicken
pox is highly contagious (catching) until all the spots
have become dry. Children do not need to stay in bed but
they should avoid direct contact with non-immune people
until 12 hours after the last batch of spots have dried.
Roseola
Roseola
(exanthema subiton) occurs mainly among children of under
three years and generally between the first and second year
of life. It normally starts with 3 days of high fever (39-40
degrees C) followed by a day without fever. After that small,
pink, rounded spots appear, beginning on the face and later
spreading to the arms and legs. Sometimes glands in the
throat and the back of the head will swell. As with other
spotty illnesses this one is generally harmless and cures
itself.
Slapped
Cheek Syndrome
Slapped
Cheek Syndrome (erythema infectiosum) usually starts off
with rosy red cheeks. It then spreads to the arms and legs.
The spots merge together and then look like an odd-shaped
map. The spots can stay for several weeks. Otherwise there
are no serious symptoms.
Scarlet
fever
Scarlet
fever starts with a sore throat, vomiting and fever. Shortly
afterwards or at the same time tiny spots appear everywhere
except around the mouth. First the tongue turns white and
after 3 days or so turns red and thickened (strawberry tongue).
After 2 to 3 weeks the skin becomes flaky (hands and soles
of feet).
Give
rest according to need. As a rule antibiotics are prescribed
for scarlet fever.
Scarlatina
This
is a mild form of scarlet fever. Doctors rarely give antibiotics
for this disease.
Meningitis
Meningitis
is VERY RARE and the child becomes ill very quickly.
The rash is reddish-blue or violet in colour and does not
disappear if pressed (unlike the rashes mentioned in the
illnesses in this section). CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR OR PHONE
FOR AN AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY IT OCCURS. (See section
on Meningitis.)
German
Measles (Rubella) and Measles
These
are now very rare in the UK thanks to our vaccination programme.
German Measles produces a very mild illness and a very faint
rash which may not even be noticed.
WITH
GERMAN MEASLES THE ONLY DANGER IS TO PREGNANT WOMEN WHO
HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.
If
you suspect German Measles, then you should contact the
doctor as the diagnosis needs to be confirmed with a special
test. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL SUSPECTED CASES HAVE
THIS TEST.
Measles
is always accompanied by fever, cough and watery red eyes.
The rash appears about 36-48 hours after the child first
becomes ill, first behind the ears, then spreading to the
face and body. It is blotchy, joined up and red, becoming
dirty brown in colour.
Hand,
foot and mouth disease
Epidemics
occur approximately every three years. The rash is grey
with small blisters (vesicles) usually found in the mouth,
and on the fingers, palms, soles, heels and buttocks.
What
you can do yourself
Do
not let the child scratch any rash or spots because
of the risk of infection and scarring. If itchy use
an oily calamine lotion or cream. Cut your child's
nails short. Wash your hands and your child's frequently.
Once wooziness and listlessness have passed, let the
child get out of bed, and once the fever has gone
the child can go out to play. Ask your pharmacist
for advice.
Contact your doctor
If
your child is unwell it is best to let your doctor
have a look at the rash or spots.
If the fever increases again or is still present after
4 or 5 days.
Contact your doctor immediately
If the child has reddish-blue or violet spots which
do not disappear if pressed.
If the child is unable to speak with you and is not
reacting to its surroundings.
If the child is becoming more ill quickly
