Children with a fever rash: important things parents need to know

Children with a fever rash that many parents worry about, do not know if this situation is a sign of diseases such as hand, foot and mouth disease, roseola disease or fifth disease (infectious erythema), … or not? When is a rash after a fever normal and when should my child be taken to the medical facility?

The problem of a child with a fever rash is one of the common symptoms in children. However, this sign is easy to confuse with other infectious diseases, so it needs to be distinguished precisely.

Content:

1. The cause of a fever rash is common in children
2. Distinguish roseola, hand-foot-and-mouth nodules and fifth disease nodules
3. Take care of a child with a fever rash

Parents need to know that fever is not a disease. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a fever is a good indication that the immune system is responding to factors that cause infection. In essence, the body will increase its temperature to fight viruses and bacteria from entering the body. The degree of fever does not always match the severity of the illness. Fevers will usually go away on their own within a few days. If your child has a fever above 38.5 degrees C, contact your pediatrician for appropriate treatment (1) (2).

1. The cause of a fever rash is common in children

Young children, especially those from 1-> 3 years old, who are in crawling or walking age, often have a fever due to many reasons such as:

• Children with colds due to inadequate development of the immune system.

• Children are exposed to and infected with viruses and bacteria from other children in the class, especially in kindergartens and preschools.

Children infected with bacteria and viruses caused by children often put toys in their mouths or nibble on objects around them.

Some babies will get a rash after the fever is gone. The cause is usually from:

Rubella

• HFMD

• fifth disease

1.1. Rubella

Rubella is a common disease caused by a group A virus. The virus can also cause strep throat and skin infections like impetigo. Rubella is common in children under 2 years old. The disease causes a fever for 3 -> 5 days and then causes a rash. The illness is usually mild and the child can recover without treatment.

Some children still move freely when sick with no additional symptoms. In addition, some babies have symptoms such as runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, diarrhea. When the fever subsides, within 12 -> 24 hours, a young person will appear pink and red spots, a rash on the body (in the chest, back, abdomen and spread to the limbs). The rash usually lasts up to 2 days, in some cases resolves on its own after 2-> 4 hours. (2) (3)

Rubella causes a fever for 3 -> 5 days then causes a rash. (Photo: Internet)

Read more:

• Children with hand, foot and mouth should eat and what to eat?

• Symptoms and treatment of viral fever rash in children

1.2. HFMD

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus. The disease is common in children under 5 years old. When suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease, children will have some symptoms such as fever, sore throat, loss of appetite. After a few days, mouth sores appeared on the body. The disease causes a fever for 3 -> 5 days and then causes a rash. Next, a redness will appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In more severe cases, the rash spreads to the hands, feet, buttocks and genitals.

Hand, foot and mouth sores usually appear on a child’s mouth, throat, palms, and feet. (Photo: Internet)

Currently, there is no specific treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease. Usually the disease resolves on its own within 1 week. Parents can use pain relievers and oral sprays to relieve the pain caused by the sores in their children. It should be noted that parents should consult a doctor before applying any pain reliever (1) (2).

1.3. Fifth disease

The fifth disease is a post-fever rash that is quite common in young children. It usually occurs in toddlers, caused by the Parvovirus B19 virus. This virus is easily spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, headache, and runny nose. After 7 -> 10 days, red spots will appear on the baby’s cheeks. The red spots can also spread to other parts of the body such as the buttocks, arms, and legs.

The fifth disease is a post-fever rash that is quite common in young children. (Photo: Internet)

For young children, fifth disease will develop on its own and go away without causing any health effects.

However, pregnant women need to prevent this disease because it has the ability to transmit the disease to the fetus, causing the baby to develop anemia. In addition, fifth disease also weakens the baby’s immune system, causing many health complications (1) (2).

2. Distinguish roseola, hand-foot-and-mouth nodules and fifth disease nodules

Roseola nodules: Red or pink nodules, flat or slightly rough surface, approximately 5 mm wide, not itchy. Nodes fly on their own in about 2 days, or 2-4 hours without treatment.

Hand, foot and mouth nodules: The palms of the hands, feet and mouths develop into blisters, are oval in shape, are not itchy and grow in typical locations such as the mouth, throat, palms of the hands, and feet. These sores cause pain for the baby, causing him to produce a lot of saliva, a lack of feeding, and fussy about crying.

Nodes of fifth disease: The rash tends to be bordered, which can be itchy. The rash is not contagious.

3. Take care of a child with a fever rash

In some cases, the rash after fever is not caused by hand, foot and mouth, you can give your baby water supplements, vitamin syrup. Clean personal hygiene for children as usual. However, you should note:

Always consult your doctor before using any medicine

• Read the instructions carefully, use the correct dose for the child’s age and weight

Most fever rashes go away on their own. But you need to call the doctor if your child:

• Fever of over 38.8 degrees, while using to reduce fever, does not decrease within 24 consecutive hours

• Sore throat

• Fever near 40 degrees

• The rash after fever does not go away well within 7 days

Or if you feel that something is out of the ordinary, contact your pediatrician immediately for directions and appropriate treatment for your baby.

Reference source:

1.https: //www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-roseola

2.https: //www.healthline.com/health/parenting/rash-after-fever-in-toddlers

3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322690#causes