BASICS OF RASHES

• Childhood rashes are very common.
• Most times it is caused by Virus.
• The bacterial cause needs to be evaluated/ treated.
• Glass test ( described ahead) helps to decide further action.
• If the child has a rash and is clinically unwell( looks septic), then you need to see a medical professional.
• Generally, children with viral rash are relatively well compared to bacterial causes. Once the fever is controlled, children with viral infections will spring back to being active.
• Bacterial infections tend to cause the child to be Toxic /Septic and will not have periods of being well.
• They continue to deteriorate until antibiotics are started.

GLASS TEST

• Take a clear glass( Example glass tumbler/ Glass slide) and press on the rash. If it fades, It is generally safe. If it stays the same then call your doctor immediately.
• You can also do this test by widening the rash with your thumb and index finger( Stretch the skin to look for fading)

• Chickenpox is a viral illness.
• Most children will experience it sometime in their life
• Chickenpox immunity(resistance) is supposed to last for life.(until the body resistance weakens-like in old age/ stress/ steroid use)
• There is a history of high fever, running nose, vomiting, loose stools prior to rash.
• The rash very rapidly progresses( within hours)- starts as red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters.
• They quickly begin to crust over to form scabs, which eventually fall off.

• Control temperature with Paracetamol/ Ibuprofen
• Can give anti-allergic medication ( Syrup Chlorphenamine/ cetirizine)

• Drowsy(unable to awaken/ change in behaviour)
• Fast breathing/ uncontrolled fever
• Worse skin infection/ discharge from rash

Babies < 7 days and preterm need hospitalisation

• Seen in young children/ babies.
• Appears as red elevated vesicles(clear fluid filled boils).
• Typically appears around neck region/ waist
• These are harmless. The child is otherwise well. no fever/ no infection

• Keep the area well aerated
• Moisturising creams/ Prickly heat powders help to contain ( Don’t use powders in babies)

• Highly infectious. Generally in babies/ school children.
• Caused by bugs( mites). They live in burrows in the lesion.
• Highly itchy and generally many members of the same family are infected simultaneously
• Appear as small red blotches and silver lines on the skin,
• Common places are hands or soles of the feet( In between fingers).
• In infants, appears as blisters on the soles of feet.

• The aim of treatment is to clear these bugs completely. Hence all family member is treated simultaneously
• Babies < 1 year- see a doctor.
• Permethrin 5% cream (Don’t use in pregnant contacts).
• Apply to the whole body from the neck down and wash off after 8-14 hours.
• Malathion 0.5% aqueous lotion.(wash after 12 hours).
• Anti-allergic syrup to control itching
• Severe infections may need to be retreated in 15 days.
• Its very important to wash all garments, bed sheets in hot water.

• Is a highly infectious viral illness
• The infection usually clears in around 7-10 days.
• Once you’ve had measles, your body builds up immunity (resistance) to the virus and it’s highly unlikely you’ll get it again.

• Measles is unlikely if immunised with MMR.
• A runny nose, sneezing, cough
• High fever, red eyes
• Lethargy/ body ache
• Following above symptom, after a day or 2 is red-rash will appear. that usually starts behind the ear and spreads down

• Give paracetamol/ibuprofen to control temperature
• Drink plenty of water
• Ask your doctor for vitamin A medication(It fastens recovery)

• Give paracetamol/ibuprofen to control temperature
• Drink plenty of water
• Ask your doctor for vitamin A medication(It fastens recovery)

DANGER SIGNS

• Fast breathing/ Drowsy
• Uncontrolled temperature

• Petechiae is an important sign to see your doctor.
• Purple or red spots that don’t fade when put under pressure
• Glass test is positive( the rash doesn’t fade/ it appears permanent)
• Meningitis presents with petechiae, hence very child with this needs to be seen by your doctor immediately.
• The various virus also causes petechiae, but they tend to be pinpoint and the child doesn’t appear septic/ unwell.
• Certain bleeding conditions/ clotting conditions can present as petechiae.