Rashes
Rashes can often be concerning to parents. However, most rashes are not serious, and often they will go away on their own. Rashes can be caused by multiple things, some of which include: viruses, contact with irritants, eczema, and fungus infections. For almost all rashes, it is safe and advisable to wait until the office is open to call with questions. This page addresses only rashes that may be serious.Localized (in one area) rashes
(usually are red, or pink; often caused by some irritant)Call right away for:
- Dark red, or purple spots that are not from injury and do not blanch (fade) with pressure (put your thumbs on each side of spot, press down and pull thumbs away from spot, see if spot blanches or fades)
- Bright red areas that are painful when touched
- Red streaks that are spreading out from the area (looks infected)
- Baby less than 1 month old with small water blisters
Call the office (during regular hours) if:
- Child with severe itching
- Peeling of skin on fingers
- Child has boil, or sore that looks infected
Widespread (over most of body) rashes
Often seen with a viral illness, usually harmless. With few exceptions a child who appears well and when rash is not bothersome to the patient it probably doesn’t represent a serious illness. Call office anytime child appears ill.Call right away for:
Dark red, or purple spots that do not blanch (see right)- Rash that comes on suddenly accompanied by breathing problems
- Rash that is tender to the touch, and bright red
- Bright red skin that is peeling off in sheets
- Fever over 105°F
If child is taking an antibiotic
Call right away for:
- Sudden onset of wheezing or breathing problems
- Hoarseness, cough, or difficulty swallowing starting shortly after the first dose of the drug
- Rash that is quite itchy and looks like hives
Call the office (this day) if:
- Child has sore throat
- Rash is quite itchy, and not hives
- Rash has lasted more than 48 hours
- Child is taking an antibiotic
