What causes fever and rash in children? What are the possible conditions and their symptoms? How are these conditions treated? Get answers to these questions and more.

Common Childhood Conditions Causing Fever and Rash

Numerous conditions can lead to fever and rash in children, including:

Fifth Disease

Fifth disease, also known as “slapped cheek” disease, is caused by the parvovirus B19. Symptoms typically begin 2 weeks after exposure, with headaches, fever, and a runny nose. A rash then develops, usually starting on the face and spreading. Joint pain may also occur for 1-3 weeks. The rash appears after the fever resolves. Fifth disease is usually mild and resolves on its own, though it can occasionally cause complications like anemia.

Roseola

Roseola is caused by a virus in the herpesvirus family. Children with roseola get a fever and runny nose, as well as a rash of small flat spots or bumps that may have a lighter halo around them. The rash typically appears after the fever goes away. Roseola generally resolves on its own within a few days without specific treatment.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Most children now receive the chickenpox vaccine, which is very effective, but some may still contract the virus. Chickenpox may begin with fever, exhaustion, irritability, or headache, followed by a rash of fluid-filled blisters all over the body that itch and can bleed. Most recover within a week, but children with weakened immune systems can become very ill.

Scarlet Fever

Scarlet fever results from a group A Streptococcus infection, like strep throat. Symptoms include a sore throat, fever, and a rash that may affect the chest, neck, or groin. Antibiotics can treat scarlet fever, but in some children the infection becomes severe, so medical attention is important.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

HFMD commonly affects young children under 5. Symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms, and sores around the mouth and on the hands and feet. The virus that causes HFMD is highly contagious. Symptoms are usually mild and resolve within 7-10 days.

Meningococcemia

Meningococcemia is a rare but dangerous blood infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Early symptoms include fever, joint/muscle pain, rapid breathing, fatigue, and vomiting. Later, a dark rash may appear. Meningococcemia can lead to severe complications like septic shock, so immediate medical treatment with antibiotics is crucial.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a serious bacterial skin infection affecting the deeper layers. It usually follows an injury like a sting, bite, or wound, though it can occur without a visible skin injury. The skin around the affected area is very tender, red or discolored, and swollen, with potential spreading redness.

Diagnosing the Cause of Fever and Rash

When a child has a fever and a rash, the doctor will examine the child and ask about their symptoms and medical history to determine the underlying cause. They may order tests like bloodwork or cultures to confirm the diagnosis.

Treating Fever and Rash in Children

The treatment for fever and rash depends on the specific condition. Many viral illnesses like fifth disease, roseola, and hand, foot, and mouth disease resolve on their own with supportive care. Bacterial infections like scarlet fever and cellulitis require antibiotic treatment. In severe cases like meningococcemia, immediate hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics are necessary.

When to See a Doctor

Parents should seek medical attention if their child has a fever and rash, especially if the child seems very ill, the rash is spreading quickly, or the child has underlying health conditions. Prompt treatment is crucial for serious infections like meningococcemia.

Preventing the Spread of Contagious Illnesses

Many conditions that cause fever and rash in children, such as fifth disease, roseola, chickenpox, and hand, foot, and mouth disease, are highly contagious. Good handwashing, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and keeping children home from school or daycare when they are contagious can help prevent the spread of these illnesses.

Conclusion

Fever and rash in children can have a variety of causes, from common viral illnesses to serious bacterial infections. Prompt medical evaluation and appropriate treatment are important, especially for potentially severe conditions. Preventive measures like vaccination and good hygiene can also help reduce the risk of contagious childhood illnesses.

Fever with rash in child: Pictures, causes, and treatments

Numerous conditions can cause fever and a rash in children. They include:

Fifth disease

A virus called parvovirus B19 causes a common childhood infection called fifth disease. Doctors may also call it “slapped cheek” disease because the rash often causes a red or darker patch on the cheek. The medical term is erythema infectiosum.

The infection usually begins about 2 weeks after exposure to the virus, with symptoms such as headaches, fever, and a runny nose. A child may then develop a rash that begins on their face and spreads. Some children also develop joint pain that can last 1–3 weeks.

Usually, the rash comes after the fever resolves, not at the same time.

Fifth disease usually clears on its own. It can sometimes cause complications, such as anemia, but these are rare. The condition is contagious for as long as the child has a fever. Once the rash begins, they are no longer contagious.

Learn more about fifth disease here.

Roseola

A type of virus in the herpesvirus family causes roseola, producing a rash that presents as small flat spots or tiny bumps. A halo of slightly lighter or paler skin may surround some of the bumps.

Children with roseola usually get a fever and runny nose, and they may be irritable and tired. The rash often starts on the face but eventually covers the entire body.

The fever and rash rarely occur at the same time. Instead, the roseola rash typically appears soon after the fever disappears.

Roseola typically goes away on its own within a few days, and there is no specific treatment.

Learn more about roseola here.

Chickenpox

A virus called varicella-zoster causes chickenpox. Most children now get the chickenpox vaccine, which is very effective, but some will still get the virus. Children who get chickenpox after having had the vaccine tend to experience a more mild form of the illness.

Chickenpox may begin with a fever, exhaustion, irritability, or a headache. The rash tends to appear within a day or two, presenting as many tiny, fluid filled blisters all over the body. The blisters itch and may crack open and bleed.

Most people get better in about a week.

Learn about home remedies for relieving the symptoms of chickenpox here.

However, children with serious medical conditions or a weakened immune system may get very sick.

Learn more about chickenpox here.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever results from a group A Streptococcus infection, such as strep throat. Strep is a bacterial infection, and people usually get sick within a few days of infection.

A scarlet fever rash may affect the chest, neck, or groin.

Learn more about scarlet fever rash here.

If a child has a sore throat and a rash, or they get a rash after a sore throat goes away, they may have scarlet fever. Most kids also get a fever and may have flushed-looking cheeks.

Antibiotics can treat scarlet fever. However, in some children, the infection becomes very severe. For this reason, if the child is not better in a few days, it is important to speak to a doctor.

Learn more about scarlet fever here.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) commonly affects babies and children under 5 years old. Children usually get a fever and flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains. Within a few days, they develop sores around their mouth and on their hands or feet.

The virus that causes HFMD is highly contagious and may spread to parents or caregivers. In most children, symptoms are mild and go away within 7–10 days.

Learn more about HFMD here.

Meningococcemia

Meningococcemia is a rare but dangerous blood infection. Bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, cause the infection.

Meningococcal disease is most common in children under the age of 1 year. Early symptoms include fever, joint and muscle pain, rapid breathing, fatigue, and vomiting.

Occasionally, tiny red, purple, or brown dots called petechiae can appear on the skin at the same time. More often, at a later stage, a dark rash will appear.

Meningococcemia is dangerous and can cause severe complications, such as septic shock. Immediate medical treatment with antibiotics is essential. Anyone who suspects that they or a child has a meningococcal infection should seek medical attention right away.

Learn more about meningococcemia here.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a serious bacterial skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin. It usually appears following an injury to the skin, such as a sting, bite, or wound. However, some people get cellulitis even when they do not have a visible skin injury.

Cellulitis causes very tender skin around the area of the injury. The skin is usually red or discolored and swollen. There may be streaks coming out of the rash, indicating that the infection is spreading. Some people with cellulitis develop a fever. A fever with cellulitis may signal a severe infection, which warrants immediate medical care.

Antibiotics are almost always necessary to treat cellulitis.

Learn more about cellulitis here.

Drug reaction

Sometimes, a rash warns of a drug reaction. If fever occurs alongside a drug rash, it often has a separate cause — for example, an underlying infection.

In rare cases, a child might develop a rash a few days after a fever, in reaction to a medication. A severe skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome can damage the skin and organs, and most children who get it must stay in the hospital.

When a rash and fever appear only after taking medication, this may be an emergency, so it is important to call a doctor.

Most rashes that occur with a fever happen because of viral illnesses. Antibiotics and other drugs cannot treat viruses. Instead, doctors focus on controlling the symptoms. They might recommend:

• resting as much as possible
• drinking lots of fluids
• taking medication to lower a fever

Depending on the cause of the symptoms, in severe cases, a child might sometimes need to stay in the hospital.

Antibiotics can treat cellulitis and similar skin infections, as well as strep infections. Occasionally, a viral rash becomes infected, especially if a child scratches it a lot. If this happens, a child might need antibiotics. Antibiotics will get rid of the infection, but they will not treat the rash.

As quitting an antibiotic early can make an infection worse or even cause drug-resistant infections, it is important to talk to a doctor before stopping any medication. Parents and caregivers should never just assume that a drug has caused a child’s rash.

Parents and caregivers should call a doctor any time a child gets a rash with a fever. They should take the child to the emergency room if:

• a child seems very ill and has a rash that has streaks coming out of it
• the child’s skin starts peeling off
• the rash covers most of the child’s body and appears a few days after taking a new medication
• a child has trouble breathing, or any part of their body swells

Most rashes in children are ultimately harmless. A child might feel itchy or sick for a few days before gradually feeling better.

If a child suddenly gets worse, seems very ill, or gets a fever after taking a new medication, it is important to take them to see a doctor immediately.

Fever with rash in child: Pictures, causes, and treatments

Numerous conditions can cause fever and a rash in children. They include:

Fifth disease

A virus called parvovirus B19 causes a common childhood infection called fifth disease. Doctors may also call it “slapped cheek” disease because the rash often causes a red or darker patch on the cheek. The medical term is erythema infectiosum.

The infection usually begins about 2 weeks after exposure to the virus, with symptoms such as headaches, fever, and a runny nose. A child may then develop a rash that begins on their face and spreads. Some children also develop joint pain that can last 1–3 weeks.

Usually, the rash comes after the fever resolves, not at the same time.

Fifth disease usually clears on its own. It can sometimes cause complications, such as anemia, but these are rare. The condition is contagious for as long as the child has a fever. Once the rash begins, they are no longer contagious.

Learn more about fifth disease here.

Roseola

A type of virus in the herpesvirus family causes roseola, producing a rash that presents as small flat spots or tiny bumps. A halo of slightly lighter or paler skin may surround some of the bumps.

Children with roseola usually get a fever and runny nose, and they may be irritable and tired. The rash often starts on the face but eventually covers the entire body.

The fever and rash rarely occur at the same time. Instead, the roseola rash typically appears soon after the fever disappears.

Roseola typically goes away on its own within a few days, and there is no specific treatment.

Learn more about roseola here.

Chickenpox

A virus called varicella-zoster causes chickenpox. Most children now get the chickenpox vaccine, which is very effective, but some will still get the virus. Children who get chickenpox after having had the vaccine tend to experience a more mild form of the illness.

Chickenpox may begin with a fever, exhaustion, irritability, or a headache. The rash tends to appear within a day or two, presenting as many tiny, fluid filled blisters all over the body. The blisters itch and may crack open and bleed.

Most people get better in about a week.

Learn about home remedies for relieving the symptoms of chickenpox here.

However, children with serious medical conditions or a weakened immune system may get very sick.

Learn more about chickenpox here.

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever results from a group A Streptococcus infection, such as strep throat. Strep is a bacterial infection, and people usually get sick within a few days of infection.

A scarlet fever rash may affect the chest, neck, or groin.

Learn more about scarlet fever rash here.

If a child has a sore throat and a rash, or they get a rash after a sore throat goes away, they may have scarlet fever. Most kids also get a fever and may have flushed-looking cheeks.

Antibiotics can treat scarlet fever. However, in some children, the infection becomes very severe. For this reason, if the child is not better in a few days, it is important to speak to a doctor.

Learn more about scarlet fever here.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) commonly affects babies and children under 5 years old. Children usually get a fever and flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains. Within a few days, they develop sores around their mouth and on their hands or feet.

The virus that causes HFMD is highly contagious and may spread to parents or caregivers. In most children, symptoms are mild and go away within 7–10 days.

Learn more about HFMD here.

Meningococcemia

Meningococcemia is a rare but dangerous blood infection. Bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, cause the infection.

Meningococcal disease is most common in children under the age of 1 year. Early symptoms include fever, joint and muscle pain, rapid breathing, fatigue, and vomiting.

Occasionally, tiny red, purple, or brown dots called petechiae can appear on the skin at the same time. More often, at a later stage, a dark rash will appear.

Meningococcemia is dangerous and can cause severe complications, such as septic shock. Immediate medical treatment with antibiotics is essential. Anyone who suspects that they or a child has a meningococcal infection should seek medical attention right away.

Learn more about meningococcemia here.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a serious bacterial skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin. It usually appears following an injury to the skin, such as a sting, bite, or wound. However, some people get cellulitis even when they do not have a visible skin injury.

Cellulitis causes very tender skin around the area of the injury. The skin is usually red or discolored and swollen. There may be streaks coming out of the rash, indicating that the infection is spreading. Some people with cellulitis develop a fever. A fever with cellulitis may signal a severe infection, which warrants immediate medical care.

Antibiotics are almost always necessary to treat cellulitis.

Learn more about cellulitis here.

Drug reaction

Sometimes, a rash warns of a drug reaction. If fever occurs alongside a drug rash, it often has a separate cause — for example, an underlying infection.

In rare cases, a child might develop a rash a few days after a fever, in reaction to a medication. A severe skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome can damage the skin and organs, and most children who get it must stay in the hospital.

When a rash and fever appear only after taking medication, this may be an emergency, so it is important to call a doctor.

Most rashes that occur with a fever happen because of viral illnesses. Antibiotics and other drugs cannot treat viruses. Instead, doctors focus on controlling the symptoms. They might recommend:

• resting as much as possible
• drinking lots of fluids
• taking medication to lower a fever

Depending on the cause of the symptoms, in severe cases, a child might sometimes need to stay in the hospital.

Antibiotics can treat cellulitis and similar skin infections, as well as strep infections. Occasionally, a viral rash becomes infected, especially if a child scratches it a lot. If this happens, a child might need antibiotics. Antibiotics will get rid of the infection, but they will not treat the rash.

As quitting an antibiotic early can make an infection worse or even cause drug-resistant infections, it is important to talk to a doctor before stopping any medication. Parents and caregivers should never just assume that a drug has caused a child’s rash.

Parents and caregivers should call a doctor any time a child gets a rash with a fever. They should take the child to the emergency room if:

• a child seems very ill and has a rash that has streaks coming out of it
• the child’s skin starts peeling off
• the rash covers most of the child’s body and appears a few days after taking a new medication
• a child has trouble breathing, or any part of their body swells

Most rashes in children are ultimately harmless. A child might feel itchy or sick for a few days before gradually feeling better.

If a child suddenly gets worse, seems very ill, or gets a fever after taking a new medication, it is important to take them to see a doctor immediately.

Allergy temperature in a child

After eating a product or taking a medicine that our body cannot tolerate, we usually observe an allergic reaction in the form of habitual symptoms. Usually this is a skin rash, redness, runny nose, intestinal disorders and other manifestations that are known to everyone who has at least a little contact with an allergic person or is one himself. This is a normal reaction of the body to the intake of histamine.

Sometimes, or rather rarely, the body reacts non-standard and instead of the usual symptoms listed above, the body temperature rises. This is a fairly rare occurrence that doctors and patients often mistake for a cold or other fever-related illness. With allergies, this is considered a non-standard reaction, and therefore the temperature with allergies deserves special attention. Let’s take a closer look at this topic.

Yes, with allergies there is a temperature, that’s a fact. Any increase in it indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. And the higher the thermometer column, the stronger the body fights the infection or virus that has arrived. On the issue of allergies at a temperature, even doctors cannot come to one common opinion. Most of them believe that the usual intake of an allergen should not cause an increase in temperature. In this case, they say that at the same time as the allergic reaction, the person caught a cold or got a viral infection. The doctors’ opinion would have remained the same if such cases had not recently become more frequent. It is clear that in connection with the increase, research began to be carried out and this issue was dealt with more closely. Scientific work and experiments have shown that with allergies there is a temperature and called such an allergy atypical.

Most often, with allergies, the temperature occurs in the following cases:

• taking medications containing an allergen for a single person. In this case, the temperature with allergies is most often observed. At the same time, it can be accompanied by itching, swelling, redness of the mucous membranes, as well as in the mouth, nose and eyes. Intoxication is also often observed. For this reason, the doctor may not immediately determine the allergic reaction, taking the case for food poisoning or a complication of a viral cold;
• allergic reaction due to ingestion of an allergen. In this case, it is even more difficult to determine an allergy than when taking medications. After all, the doctor will ask what medications you are taking, and based on the answer, he can at least suggest what you may be allergic to. But in the case of food allergies, everything is complicated by the fact that often of all the symptoms, fever and abdominal pain. Of course, this can be accompanied by pain in the intestines, diarrhea, metabolism and other symptoms. If you put them together, you get food poisoning. This is if an additional rash or other symptoms appear that are more suitable for the description of an allergy, then the probability of a correct diagnosis increases significantly. And it happens that even for weeks the doctor cannot determine the source of the disease;
• reaction to foreign substances such as serum, plasma, vaccine, protein, etc. In this case, the body, for obvious reasons, does not want to accept foreign substances and fights against their invasion by raising the temperature. These are special cases that, until recently, were dismissed and considered normal. This attitude can be compared with the transfusion of blood of different groups. A similar reaction of the body in medicine is called serum sickness. As a rule, it appears after a while. Usually from several days to several weeks. An itchy rash appears at the injection site of foreign proteins, nearby lymph nodes may become inflamed, body temperature rises, the face may swell and the stomach may ache. There are exceptions when the body produces antibodies to the administered proteins very sharply and serum sickness can manifest itself right during the injection. In this case, the disease proceeds very rapidly and the patient must be under the constant supervision of specialists. The reason for this is the risk of anaphylactic shock with subsequent death. But these are extremes, and usually the body temperature rises to 38 degrees, fighting with a foreign protein;

• if you are allergic to the hair of a certain animal or to the pollen of a single plant. According to one theory, the temperature occurs more due to irritation of the mucous membrane. Note that allergies to pollen or wool are much more likely to cause a runny nose, cough, frequent sneezing, and profuse watery eyes. However, do not panic. In such cases, most often, the raised temperature during allergies in a child is insignificant and very rarely crosses the mark of 38 degrees. In adults, it is generally considered rare;
• temperature for allergies caused by insect bites. This is a fairly common phenomenon, which rarely entails a serious consequence. There were cases when, from a bee sting in the side in the liver area, the entire torso and shoulders swelled and swelled in a person, and after two days there was no trace left. The temperature, as a rule, rises to 38-39 degrees. This is not as dangerous as it might seem at first glance, however, you should not neglect such symptoms. It is better to immediately contact an allergist in order to prevent possible complications and take appropriate measures.

How to deal with a fever due to allergies? Doctors say that the temperature, which has not reached 38 degrees, should not be brought down. If the mark is crossed, then it is better to knock it down with standard medicines. However, you should be careful, because an allergic reaction along with a temperature can be caused precisely by taking medications. You need to be sure that the patient is not allergic to the components of the drug. The best and proven method is a plentiful hot drink. But here we should not forget about the danger.

Allergies can be caused by lemon or honey, which are often added to tea and milk respectively, especially in children. By the way, about them. The temperature with allergies in a child clearly signals the presence of any infection or complications in tandem with an allergic reaction. If an adult can be cured at home with antihistamines and anti-cold methods, then the situation with children is much more risky. The baby must be taken to the doctor, because the child’s body is much more vulnerable than the adult. Self-medication is, in principle, dangerous, especially in the case of children. Do not be lazy and go to the doctor, because this is health, and you can’t buy it for any money. And to evaluate the prices of drugs in pharmacies in your city, you can use the DOC.ua website.

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Content of article

• How does an allergic reaction occur?
• Symptoms
• Increased body temperature with allergies: causes
• Treatment of allergic rhinitis

Moreover, the first signs of allergic rhinitis appear in the first twenty minutes after contact with the allergen. Sometimes even a few seconds are enough to start the inflammatory process.

The patient is overcome by a whole range of unpleasant symptoms that interfere with normal work activity and the educational process.

Many patients are concerned about the question, can there be a temperature with allergic rhinitis? Or does an increase in body temperature indicate that the disease is of an infectious nature and is not associated with an allergy? Let’s figure it out!

How does an allergic reaction occur?

When an allergen enters the nasal mucosa, a complex process starts in the human body. When an allergen enters a person’s nose, the body perceives it as a foreign element and tries to fight it. Why our immune system reacts this way is not known for certain. But he begins to defend himself intensely against this irritant, producing a large number of special antibodies – histamines, which causes the appearance of signs of allergy. It is noteworthy that when the allergen enters the body for the first time, no allergy symptoms appear. There is a so-called acquaintance of immunity with the substance. And if this “acquaintance” went wrong, upon repeated contact, a person will feel all the signs of an allergy in all its glory.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of rhinitis of allergic etiology are similar to signs of infectious diseases. That is why some patients first of all begin to be treated for a cold and are perplexed why the symptoms of the disease do not go away and the general condition does not improve.

Symptoms of the disease include:

• frequent bouts of sneezing;
• severe runny nose – constantly running from the nose; mucus is copious and mostly clear;
• lacrimation;
• itchy eyes;
• conjunctivitis;
• itching in the nose and throat;
• nasal congestion;
• difficulty breathing through the nose;
• photophobia;
• cough;
• irritability, fatigue;
• sleep problems.

The impact of allergens on the body in some cases can also provoke an increase in body temperature. Let’s take a closer look at this symptom.

Fever due to allergies: causes

There are several causes of an allergic nature that can cause fever.

The first reason is food allergens. It happens that such allergens can cause a temperature increase of up to 39 ° C. At the same time, the patient may experience redness of the skin, headaches, increased sweating.

The second reason is reactions to medications, which can also provoke skin itching, swelling of the face, hands, feet, and general intoxication of the body.

The temperature in allergic rhinitis can be caused by contact with pollen from flowering plants, bushes and trees, house dust, wool or saliva of pets on the nasal mucosa.

Insect bites and vaccinations can also cause fever.

As a rule, in all cases, taking antihistamines leads to the normalization of the patient’s condition.

How to distinguish temperature with allergies from signs of infectious diseases?

At first, a cold and an allergy can be difficult to tell apart due to the similarity of symptoms. The patient may try in vain to cure an infectious disease, but in fact he has a banal allergy. You need to be able to distinguish an allergy from a common cold.