A skin rash can be an indication of a number of possible conditions. The following list of symptoms will help to narrow down the cause.
Symptoms
Symptoms
- Bright red, pimply rash on neck, under arms, or in nappy area
- Warm environment or clothing is too heavy
Likely Cause Heat Rash
Symptoms
- Red raised, swollen areas on the skin that are very itchy
- Can appear on any part of the body
- Rash can come and go and can last a couple of hours or weeks
Likely Cause Hives
Symptoms
- Red, puffy skin in nappy area
- Rash can be flat or raised and sometimes rough
- Skin is warm
- Crying during nappy change
Likely Cause Nappy Rash
Symptoms
- Chronic itchy rash most commonly on face, back of knees, crook of elbows
- Possible dry thickened scaly skin
- Possible tiny red bumps that ooze and can become infected if scratched
- Family history of allergies or asthma
Likely Cause Eczema
Symptoms
- Rash in nappy area that is dark red with pus-filled bumps
- Rash is more sever in skin folds
- Rash does not respond to rash creams or ointments
Likely Cause Yeast infection
Symptoms
- Itchy red ring(s) that are scaly on the outside and smooth in the center
- Rings may grow larger
- Can look like dandruff or bald spots on scalp
Likely Cause Ringworm
Symptoms
- Small red bump or bumps on the scalp that may be swollen and itchy
- Itching on the scalp, neck, and ears
- Tiny hard-to-see bugs on the scalp that may be dark or light
- Small white eggs that attached to hair shaft
Likely Cause Head lice
Symptoms
- Severely itchy rash of scattered bumps and red patches, usually between the fingers, around the wrists, and on the elbows, armpits, navel, nipples, lower abdomen, and genitals
- Intense itching after a hot bath or at night
- Irritation keeps child awake
Likely Cause Scabies
Symptoms
- Rash of blisters that may burst and expose wet reddish skin underneath
- Scabs that are itchy and crust over
- Rash is most often located around the nose and mouth, but can easily spread
- Possible fever and swollen lymph glands in face or neck
Likely Cause Impetigo
Symptoms
- Fever
- Body aches
- Typical cold symptoms (See Colds)
- Red, lacy cheeks
- Rash on the trunk and feet that is itchy
Likely Cause Fifth Disease (Most common in preschool and school-age children)
Symptoms
- Fever between 38.3 and 40.5 degrees C for two to five days
- Runny nose
- Raised pinkish rash on the torso
- Rash spreads to the neck, face, and arms
Likely Cause Roseola
Symptoms
- Itchy red ring(s) that are scaly on the outside and smooth in the center
- Rings may grow larger
- Can look like dandruff or bald spots on scalp
Likely Cause Ringworm
Symptoms
- Small red, itchy bumps that become water blisters and then crust over in about four days
- Fatigue
- Low-grade fever
Likely Cause Chicken pox
Symptoms
- Extremely itchy rash that first appears as lines or streaks, then blisters and becomes crusty
- Exposure to the woods or plants in the woods
- Exposure to an animal or other child who has been exposed.
Likely Cause Poison ivy, oak, or sumac
Symptoms
- Small blister-like sores in the mouth and on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet (Can also be located on the buttocks)
- Mild fever
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
Likely Cause Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Symptoms
- Small, grainy bump or cluster of bumps
- Color is same as skin but can have small black dots
Likely Cause Common Warts (Uncommon in children under 2 )
Symptoms
- Small, fluid-filled blisters on or near lips
- Blister will enlarge, burst, and crust over
- There may be more than one blister in a cluster
Likely Cause Cold sore
Symptoms
- Thick red or silvery rash that is scaly
- Rash is located on the elbows and knees
- Possibly located on the head, looking like dandruff
- Possibly located in the nappy area, looking like a bad nappy rash
Likely Cause Psoriasis
Symptoms
- Pale skin on the fingers or toes
- Skin is waxy, or stiff after being out in the cold
- Pins-and-needles sensation
- Numbness
- Swelling and blistering
Likely Cause Frostbite
Symptoms
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Swollen glands
- Fever
- Red, sandpaper-like rash that starts on neck, chest, and abdomen, then spreads
- Flushed face, but pale around mouth
- Red streaks in skin folds
- Skin may peel (especially on fingers and toes and in groin area) as rash fades
- Usually lasts two to five days. (Uncommon in children younger than 2)
Likely Cause Scarlet fever
Symptoms
- Pink-red, itchy rash that appears first on face, then spreads over body and lasts two or three days
- Mild fever
- Swollen lymph nodes behind ears
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Red, inflamed eyes
- Very rare due to vaccinations; most likely to occur in unvaccinated children.
Likely Cause Rubella
Symptoms
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Red, runny eyes
- Cough
- Red bumps with tiny white dots on inside of cheeks a few days later, then rash of flat, red patches begins on head, progresses down back and trunk, arms and hands, and finally legs and feet
- Rash develops bumps
- May be itchy
- Fever may climb to 40.5 degrees F
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and swollen lymph nodes may occur
- Rash lasts about five days, fading in the order it appeared
- Rare due to vaccinations; most likely to occur in unvaccinated children.
Likely Cause Measles
