What to do when your child has a rash

Is it a non-blanching rash?

The first thing to do when your child develops a rash is to reach for a tumbler. Run the glass over the rash to see whether it disappears under this mild pressure. If it doesn't, it's a known as a non-blanching rash and can be a sign of serious infection.

"Having a non-blanching rash can be a sign of sepsis - in particular meningococcal sepsis - and that's an emergency: the child needs to go straight to hospital and be assessed there," explains Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of childcare service Helper Bees.

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Does your child have a fever?

If the rash disappears when you run a glass over it, the most likely cause of your child's rash is a viral infection. The next question to ask is whether your child has an associated fever, and whether it's low or high grade.

"A low-grade fever will be anything between 37.5°C and 38.5°C," explains Bugembe. "Anything above this is quite a raging fever."

Fever isn't always a cause for concern. "If your child has a fever, it may just be that it's something the body needs to do in order to destroy an intruder," explains Bugembe. "That doesn't always mean something sinister, it just alerts us to pay attention."

The younger the child, the more potentially serious a fever is. For instance, any fever above 38°C in a child aged under 3 months, or above 39°C in a child aged 3-6 months, should be checked out by a doctor.

Can you tell where the fever is coming from?

When a child has a fever, it's often easy to tell where the source of the problem is.

"If your child is coughing or complaining of an earache or sore throat then that's helpful," explains Bugembe. "A rash can occur in children as part of the body's immune response. They can get a rash that looks like hives, that appear like wheals and move - there's one on the chest and one on the arm - that's what is known as a migrating rash which can be part of a viral infection with a temperature."

"As long as it settles over a couple of hours, that's fine. It will often wax and wane - it will come, it will disappear and that's fine."

When you can't tell

If you can't tell where the fever is coming from, and the rash continues to spread and not disappear, it's time for a visit to the doctor.

"They will have a look in the ear and the throat, and let you know how long any infection is likely to last, or whether it's a condition that requires antibiotics, such as scarlet fever," explains Bugembe.

No fever? Is it an allergic reaction?

If they don't have a fever you need to find out whether the rash is itchy or not, and keep track of how quickly it's spreading, as such a rash could signal an allergic reaction.

The first thing to do if you suspect an allergic reaction is to dose with an antihistamine such as Piriton®, if you have it to hand. "If it's spreading rapidly, you need to give them some antihistamine and get them reviewed if it doesn't settle down," advises Bugembe.

Children aged over 3

"If the child is over 3, and they have an itchy rash but no difficulty breathing, no coughing and no swelling around the lips, it's advisable to give the antihistamine and wait an hour, as it will take about 40 minutes for the antihistamine to get into the blood system and start working," she says.

If the anti-histamine doesn't help, it's time to call the GP.

"However, if the child is experiencing any difficulty breathing, or experiencing swelling around the lips then this is a medical emergency and it's time to head to A&E," explains Bugembe.

Children aged under 3

In a younger child, a more rapid response is required.

"If the child is under 3, give them the antihistamine if you have it and take them to A&E immediately. If it settles while you're in A&E, they may then agree that you can go home," advises Bugembe. "Because the airways are so small in very young children and you don't know if a similar reaction is happening inside, such a swelling could quickly narrow their already tiny airways."

What else should I do?

If your child has a viral rash, chances are some of the children he or she has been associating with will have it too.

"You can often get a clue about the cause of the rash by asking around people who your child has been in contact with. in conditions such as hand, foot and mouth or slapped cheek, there will usually be an outbreak locally so it's worth asking around anyone your child has been around to get some idea about how long the fever and rash lasted with others. And then if there's anything unusual, if your child doesn't match the others, then also get a review, as you can have two things at the same time," explains Bugembe.

Warn those at risk

If your child has been in contact with a pregnant woman, a baby under a week old or anyone undergoing chemotherapy, it's important to inform that person or their responsible adult of the potential risk so that they can seek advice from their healthcare advisor.

Potential causes of childhood rashes

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is a common childhood illness characterised by its itchy, fluid-filled, blister-like spots. The spots can appear anywhere in the body, including inside the mouth. It's usually manageable at home, although there can be complications. "If your child still has a fever four days after the first spot has appeared, is extremely miserable or irritable, or becomes dehydrated, then you need to seek medical attention," explains Bugembe.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease causes spots on the hands and feet, as well as painful mouth ulcers. Whilst the condition can be distressing for children, the virus should clear up on its own within 7-10 days.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever causes a rough-feeling dark pink rash, which often causes itching. Children usually experience a temperature, as well as a headache and sore throat a few days before developing the rash. See your GP, as your child may need antibiotics.

Measles

Measles is characterised by red-brown blotches, accompanied by fever. Whilst it usually passes in just over a week, there can be complications. Call your GP if you suspect your child has measles.

Heat rash

This rash can be identified by its small spots which can make a child's skin feel prickly or stingy. It may occur when a child gets too hot in their clothing, or when the weather is hot or humid outside.

Slapped cheek disease

As you might imagine, the rash for slapped cheek appears on one or both cheeks. It usually clears up in a short period without needing additional treatment.

Meningitis

Meningitis is a serious infection and needs immediate treatment. One of the most serious bacterial causes of meningitis is a germ called the meningococcus. If it gets into the bloodstream (septicaemia) is can cause a rash. This is characterised by small, red spots that often look like pinpricks to begin with. These spread rapidly and become larger, darker and blotchier in appearance. If your child develops this rash, it's important to do the glass test and seek medical attention immediately.