Rash that looks like herpes: Skin Rash vs. Herpes Rash: Distinguishing Factors and Symptoms

19.12.202215.07.2023 by alexxlab

Skin Rash vs. Herpes Rash: Distinguishing Factors and Symptoms

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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. D., MPH — By Scott Frothingham — Updated on April 21, 2023

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Herpes

If you have “wet looking” fluid-filled blisters in the vicinity of your mouth or genitals, chances are you’ve been infected with the herpes virus. When popped, the sores will crust over.

There are two types of herpes:

HSV-1 (Herpes simplex virus type 1) causes sores (cold sores or fever blisters) around the mouth and lips.
HSV-2 (Herpes simplex virus type 2) causes sores around the genitals.

Although many people with the herpes virus never experience noticeable symptoms, the most common symptoms include:

fluid-filled blisters
itching, burning skin before the sores appear
flu-like symptoms
discomfort while urinating

Rashes

A rash is an inflammation of the skin caused by a number of factors ranging from skin irritants to sickness. Rashes are commonly identified by symptoms including:

redness
swelling
itching
scaling

The symptoms of specific rashes are typically different from herpes, even though they might appear in similar areas of the body. Common conditions that may cause a skin rash include:

Dermatitis

Dermatitis is a skin condition that causes red, itchy, flaky skin. There are two types of dermatitis: contact and atopic.

Contact dermatitis is a rash that appears after your skin touches an irritant, such as a perfume or chemical. You’ll notice a rash appear where you touched the irritant, and blisters may also possibly form. A rash after exposure to poison ivy is one example of contact dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is also known as eczema. It’s a rash that occurs after exposure to an allergen. Symptoms include thick, scaly, red patches of skin across the body.

Unlike herpes, dermatitis can occur anywhere on the body. Contact dermatitis will likely go away after exposure to the irritant has stopped and the skin is cleaned with a mild soap. Atopic dermatitis can be prevented by moisturizing the skin and avoiding triggers like hot showers and cold weather.

Shingles

Shingles is a painful skin rash that is believed to be caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox — the varicella-zoster virus. Although shingles symptoms often include itching, fluid-filled blisters like herpes, the blisters usually appear in a band or in a small area on one side of a person’s face, neck, or body along with an angry rash.

Treatment for shingles. There is no cure for shingles, but there are antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir (Zovirax) or Valacyclovir (Valtrex) that your doctor may prescribe to shorten healing time and reduce your risk for complications. Your doctor may also prescribe pain medication such as the topical numbing agent, lidocaine.

Jock itch

Jock itch is a fungal infection that typically looks like a red rash with a few small blisters near the edge of the rash. Unlike herpes, these blisters typically do not crust over. Also, herpes blisters often appear on the penis, while the rash associated with jock itch typically appears on the inner thighs and groin, but not the penis.

Treatment for jock itch.Jock itch is often treated with two to four weeks of washing with an antifungal shampoo and the application of a topical antifungal cream.

Scabies

Scabies is a highly contagious skin infection caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite that burrows into your skin to lay eggs. While herpes is typically found in the mouth and genital area, scabies can be found anywhere on the body. A scabies infestation appears as redness or a rash, sometimes showing signs of small pimples, bumps, or blisters. Sores may appear when the area is scratched.

Treatment for scabies.Your doctor will most likely prescribe a scabicide topical lotion or cream to kill the scabies mites and their eggs.

Genital warts

Resulting from infection from the human papillomavirus, genital warts are typically flesh-colored bumps that resemble cauliflower tops as opposed to the blisters caused by herpes.

Treatment for genital warts.Along with prescription topical medications, your doctor might suggest cryotherapy (freezing) or laser treatment to remove the warts. There is no cure for the human papillomavirus, so no treatment is guaranteed to remove the warts and keep them from coming back.

Razor burn

Shaving your pubic hair can often create skin irritation and ingrown hairs, resulting in red bumps that can be mistaken for herpes sores. Razor burn is an acne-like rash. Ingrown hairs look like pimples with a yellow center, while herpes sores look more like fluid-filled blisters with clear liquid.

Treatment for razor burn. There are a number of ways people address razor burns, ranging from over-the-counter topical creams with hydrocortisone to home remedies such as the topical application of witch hazel or tea tree oil.

Shop for hydrocortisone.

Shop for witch hazel.

Shop for tea tree oil.

Some rashes should be treated by your doctor. Set up an appointment with your doctor if:

you’re uncomfortable to the point where you’re losing sleep or having trouble focusing on your daily activities
you think you have herpes or another sexually transmitted disease (STD)
you think your skin is infected
you’ve found self-care ineffective

If you have a rash that you think could be herpes, look closely and compare the physical appearances and symptoms of your rash with those of herpes and other common rashes. Whatever your observations, it’s wise to discuss your concerns with your doctor who will have treatment suggestions for all skin inflammations.

Last medically reviewed on April 19, 2018

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Atopic dermatitis. (n.d.). https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis/
Contact dermatitis. (n.d.). acai.org/allergies/types/skin-allergies/contact-dermatitis
Contact dermatitis. (n.d.).
hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/dermatology/contact_dermatitis_85,P00270
Frequently asked questions about herpes (n.d.).
hopkinsmedicine.org/johns_hopkins_bayview/medical_services/specialty_care/infectious_diseases/center_for_reproductive_tract_infections/frequently_asked_questions_about_herpes.html
Genital herpes – CDC fact sheet. (2017).
cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
Herpes simplex: Overview. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Dermatitis.
aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/herpes-simplex#overviewhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20352380
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Dermatitis.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dermatitis-eczema/symptoms-causes/syc-20352380
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016). Genital warts.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355240
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Shingles.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/shingles/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353060
Scabies: Treatment (2016).
cdc.gov/parasites/scabies/treatment.html
Skin inflammation (rashes). (n.d.).
hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/dermatology/skin_inflammation_rashes_85,p00309

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Apr 21, 2023

Written By

Scott Frothingham

Edited By

Heather Hobbs

Apr 19, 2018

Medically Reviewed By

Alana Biggers, MD, MPH

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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. D., MPH — By Scott Frothingham — Updated on April 21, 2023

What Does A Herpes Rash Look Like? (With Pictures)

Herpes is a common virus spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Around half a billion people worldwide are living with genital herpes, and several billion have an oral herpes infection.

There are two strains of the herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2.

HSV-1 is transmitted through oral-to-oral contact – spread through kissing, sharing cutlery, and oral care items such as toothbrushes with an infected person. It causes sores around the mouth and lips which are commonly known as cold sores.

HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted infection which causes sores around the genital area or rectum. It is passed on through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

Lesions do not have to be present for both strains to spread. Many people are asymptomatic and do not show symptoms or have very mild symptoms, even if they have a herpes infection.

What is a herpes rash?

The herpes rash is one of the main and most common symptoms of the HSV virus. The first sign of an oncoming rash is a tingling, burning, or an itching sensation in the affected area. These symptoms usually occur a day or so before a rash appears. Rashes are usually in clusters, which are painful to touch.

The rash is caused by white blood cell activity in the infected area. When the virus infects the skin, it prompts the cells to break down. Further inflammation and irritation including redness, blisters and itching of the skin can also happen whilst the body begins to fight the infection.

What does it look like?

The herpes rash looks like clusters of small, fluid filled blisters. They tend to be painful and can appear as white, yellow, or red translucent sores or bumps, filled with a clear liquid.

Herpes sores can be overlooked when symptoms first appear, because they can be similar to other common skin conditions.

The appearance of herpes sores cannot solely signify whether an outbreak is caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2. A herpes test can help to identify which strain of the virus you have. You are able to get tested at a local sexual health clinic.

Where on the body do you get a herpes rash?

The herpes rash commonly appears around the mouth and genitalia, including the penis, vagina, rectum, buttocks, cervix, and thighs. It is not always isolated to these areas and can occur anywhere on the body. The site at which a rash occurs will depend on where and how the infection is contracted.

Genital herpes rash

The genital herpes rash can appear on the vagina, groin, buttocks, and inner thigh areas. Men may develop a rash on the penis or under the foreskin. A rash around the anus and buttocks is also possible. In addition to a rash, genital herpes can cause a fever, headache, and muscle aches. You may also experience fatigue, swollen lymph nodes (specifically in the groin), pain, and difficulty when urinating.

Oral herpes rash

A cold sore is a key symptom of oral herpes. These small blisters are sometimes referred to as fever sores, and appear in or around the lips and mouth. They are usually tender, painful, and tingly, and occasionally develop on the face or tongue. Each outbreak lasts between two to three weeks.

Herpes rash on the face

Groups of fluid-filled blisters appearing on red swollen areas of the skin, or the mucous membranes, can be an indication that herpes rash on the face is present. Sores may appear on the neck, cheeks and nose and could be mistaken for spots; however, there is a clear difference in appearance. Herpes sores are white, yellow, or red translucent bumps which are filled with a clear liquid. They often appear in honeycomb like clusters, whereas pimples are pink filled with white pus, and appear sporadically around the face.

Herpes rash on the finger

Herpetic whitlow is a painful infection of the finger, caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Small blisters form on the hand and fingers, usually around the fleshy area of the fingertips. Symptoms of herpetic whitlow include swelling, pain, blisters, sores, and a change in the skin tone on your finger.

Herpes rash on the body

A herpes rash on the body is often referred to as a herpes skin rash. It looks like a small cluster of fluid filled bubbles, and can occur anywhere on the body. The sores usually burst, leaving ulcers with raised edges. These then crust over and can cause scarring on the skin which usually heals after a few weeks. If you have contracted oral or genital herpes, it will not spread to other parts of your body. The immune system will produce antibodies to protect other areas from infection.

Is it usually mild or severe?

The first episode of genital herpes tends to be more severe than recurrent outbreaks. With time, infections are shorter in duration and are generally less painful, with most people experiencing a mild herpes rash in comparison to the first outbreak.

How long does it last?

A flare-up causing a herpes rash usually lasts between one to three weeks and sores can take up to four weeks to heal. The first outbreak usually lasts longer than subsequent outbreaks.

Is a herpes rash contagious?

Yes, a herpes rash is highly contagious. HSV-1 predominantly affects the mouth, and is spread through close contact activity, such as kissing. It is also possible to spread HSV-1 from the mouth to the genitals through oral sex. HSV-2 primarily affects the genitals, and is spread through sexual activity, where there is close contact between genitals. It is also possible to transmit HSV-2 from the genitals to the mouth during oral sex.

Herpes is most contagious during an outbreak, starting from a few days before the tingling first appears, all the way through to when sores heal. Herpes is still contagious for a few weeks after sores have healed. Although the risk of transmission is lower when the virus is not active and symptoms are not present, some people may be asymptomatic and will therefore be contagious without knowing. Medication can be taken to help lower viral shedding and reduce the chances of an outbreak.

Herpes rash diagnosis

A visual diagnosis by a healthcare professional, accompanied by a test, is usually required to diagnose herpes. For a test to be accurate, you will need to swab the fluid from blisters. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reports that false positive test results, those showing positive when you do not actually have the virus, are possible when testing for HSV-1 and HSV-2, so it is recommended that testing is done only with people who show symptoms. A herpes blood test can help determine if an infection is present, it will not be able to inform you who gave you the infection.

Herpes rash treatment

There is no cure for genital herpes. Aciclovir tablets and valaciclovir tablets are antiviral medicines used to treat and suppress the herpes simplex virus. They can be taken during the onset of an outbreak, to help reduce the length and severity of an outbreak. They can also be taken over a long period of time, to help reduce the chances of a flare-up, in those that experience frequent outbreaks.

Aciclovir 400mg

Treatment of an outbreak

1 tablet to be taken three times a day for 5 days

Suppression treatment

1 tablet to be taken twice a day

Valaciclovir 500mg

Treatment of an outbreak

1 tablet to be taken twice a day for 5 days

Suppression treatment

1 tablet to be taken daily

Can other rashes look like herpes?

Yes, other rashes can be mistaken for herpes. A test or a visual examination from a doctor or pharmacist can help to identify herpes sores.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis causes red, itchy, blisters like herpes lesions on the skin. It usually occurs after contact with an irritant such as medication, plants, jewelry, and cosmetics. They can recur just like herpes.

Pimples

Pimples can have a similar appearance to sores brought on by herpes on the face. However, herpes spots usually appear in clusters, are more painful, and will usually appear after tingling to the area. Herpes spots are also usually more aggressive than pimples.

Scabies

A herpes rash on the body and scabies can cause skin irritation. Herpes on the thigh or herpes on the arm, could be mistaken for scabies, as it tends to affect the legs, arms, and hands. A common symptom of scabies is severe itching that occurs mainly at night. This is a telltale sign of scabies. Scabies pimples are also not likely to appear in bunched clusters, and unlike herpes, the rash is not likely to fill with fluid and burst.

Jock itch

Jock itch is a fungal infection, causing a red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body. It is common in athletes or people who sweat a lot and often affects the groin and inner thighs. Herpes is itchy and can feel like a burning sensation on the skin which can also occur in Jock Itch, although the rash which shows with Jock Itch tends to have a distinctive ring shape.

Genital warts

Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection. Small, flesh-colored bumps affect the moist tissues of the genital area and have a cauliflower-like appearance. They primarily effect the vagina and penis but like the herpes rash, they can also develop in the mouth or throat.

Shaving rash

Shaving rash is a form of irritant contact dermatitis, which occurs when the skin is irritated by shaving. It can look like herpes on legs because the symptoms are similar. Redness, itching and tenderness usually occur in the affected area, however shaving rash is usually a temporary condition which clears over time.

Shingles

Shingles may be confused with the HSV rash because it causes a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin with a rash will appear a few days later. The shingles rash differs to the herpes virus because it usually only affects one side of the body.

Other STIs

Gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis can all cause genital sores which can look and feel like herpes lesions on skin, so it is important to get tested by a medical professional as soon as symptoms show.

Whilst all of our content is written and reviewed by healthcare professionals, it is not intended to be substituted for or used as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.

Herpes Virus -3 (continued) – Shingles – Propid

Designed by pct. vector/ Freepik

Shingles is an infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and presents as a painful skin rash. But it turns out that he can be without a rash! And it can also manifest itself as severe dizziness, or as stomatitis on only one half of the oral cavity. Here are some surprises! What else this virus can threaten a person with and how to deal with it will be discussed below.

VZV (varicellazostervirus) is the same virus that causes chickenpox, which we have already written about. After a person has had chickenpox, VZV remains dormant in their body for the rest of their lives. If the virus reactivates, which can happen decades later, most often due to a weakened immune system, then the resulting condition will be herpes zoster . Although anyone with a history of chickenpox can develop shingles, the condition most commonly affects people over 60 years of age.

Good to know: shingles is also known as herpes zoster , but it is important to note that this condition is not caused by the same virus called herpes simplex that causes genital or oral herpes.

Herpes zoster symptoms

The main symptom of herpes zoster is a painful skin rash. At first it looks like a red rash, similar to hives, and then weeping blisters appear.

Prior to the onset of the rash, previous signs of herpes zoster include:

Itching, burning pain, numbness, tingling where the rash will develop.
Flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever, headache, feeling tired.

After the initial skin complaints have developed into herpes zoster, this condition usually lasts two to four weeks. The pain usually increases as the rash develops and decreases as the rash heals. Many people experience only one shingles flare in their lifetime, although the disease can recur.

The varicella-zoster virus that causes shingles is dormant in the nervous system after a person has recovered from chickenpox, so the rash appears exclusively on dermatomes (dermatome – a strip or area of skin on the body corresponding to the innervation of a certain nerve).

*Renee Gordon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Shingles usually appears on the face, neck, torso, but only on one side.

, via Wikimedia Commons

Good to know: If the related nerves are affected, shingles may also appear on the leg. Less commonly, but it is also possible to develop shingles in more than one area of the body, that is, in relation to more than one branch of the nerve. Even more rarely, especially in people with a weakened immune system or diagnosed with PID, three or more dermatomes may be affected. This form of the disease is known as disseminated herpes zoster .

As condition 9 progresses0011 blisters appear at the site of the rash, which are filled with a clear liquid.

The original uploader was Fixi at German Wikipedia.(Original text: Prof. Cremer), CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

It is the connection of the virus with the human nervous system that entails a symptom of severe stabbing pain, which intensifies as the rash develops. The area affected by the rash may be hypersensitive to touch, which can make it difficult to dress or sleep in certain positions.

The blistering phase of the rash usually lasts seven to ten days, after which the lesions should decrease in size as they heal and eventually disappear.

Although a painful rash on one side of the face, neck, or trunk is present in most cases of typical herpes zoster, it can sometimes take on other forms.

Less common ones include:

herpes zoster, with severe pain but no rash
herpes zoster affecting internal organs
Herpes zoster ophthalmic or Herpes zoster affecting the optic nerve
Herpes zoster affecting the facial nerve

Herpes zoster ai without rash :

A person can develop shingles without a rash, although this is rare. Then the first symptoms of the disease may include:

Feeling of numbness in a certain area
Itching, burning
Painful sensation
Headache
Fatigue
Generalized pain
Hypersensitivity to touch

The sensations will be concentrated in a specific area of the body – usually the face, neck, one side of the torso or the eyes. However, even in the absence of a rash, this condition can rarely lead to neurological conditions such as inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). The early signs of encephalitis—headaches, fever, muscle aches, and nausea—are similar to the flu. More severe symptoms include drowsiness, seizures, and difficulty speaking.

In cases where there is no rash, laboratory analysis is usually required to determine the presence of varicella-zoster virus in the body.

Internal herpes zoster

In rare cases, herpes zoster can affect the lungs, nervous system and brain in association with external rashes. This is more likely if the person has a weakened immune system, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or is undergoing chemotherapy, or if the person has a congenital immunodeficiency.

People who have a weakened immune system and who suspect they may have shingles but do not have the typical rash should tell their doctor immediately about their medical history to prevent organ damage and shingles.

The symptoms of these complications are related to the specific internal organ affected. If a person has herpes zoster that affects the lungs, for example, pneumonia may develop.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus

This form of disease includes herpes zoster affecting the optic nerve. The first sign that shingles may have spread to the eyes is the development of shingles and/or associated sensations at the tip of the nose (Hunt’s sign) so it is recommended to consult with an ophthalmologist immediately in this localization as this form Shingles can cause visual disturbances and even blindness.

By Burntfingers – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38576180

Another type of shingles occurs when shingles affects the facial nerve. In this case, rashes are localized on the face, neck, ear and even in the mouth. On the oral mucosa, rashes resemble stomatitis, but are located only on one half.

Well, the least common forms of herpes zoster are:

peripheral paralysis of the facial nerve, characterized by acute pain in one ear and half of the face. Vesicles may be present in the external auditory canal and in some cases, hearing, taste, photophobia
A disorder of the vestibulocochlear nerve in which, in addition to a rash, there are symptoms of imbalance in the balance system, such as dizziness .

Causes of shingles

All people who have had chickenpox, and in very rare cases, people who have been vaccinated against chickenpox and therefore carry VZV in their bodies, are at risk of developing shingles.

Good to know: If a person who has been vaccinated against varicella develops shingles, the infection is usually much less severe than it might be when it affects people who carry some form of natural VZV into your body. Therefore, it is generally advisable for a person who has not had chickenpox to be vaccinated against , even if it is a weakened vaccine (containing a weakened version of the virus that does not cause disease), and therefore does not provide complete protection against comorbidities, such as herpes zoster.

Herpes zoster vaccine is not recommended for certain populations, including

Pregnant women.
Those suffering from a condition that weakens the immune system , such as those with HIV.
Cancer patients with damage to the bone marrow or lymphatic system.
Receiving immunosuppressants, such as steroids.
Undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy
Those who received an organ or bone marrow transplant less than 4 weeks before vaccination

Herpes zoster vaccine in Russia is not recommended for use as standard vaccination. postherpetic neuralgia. If vaccination is necessary, they try to resort to drugs of foreign origin – Shingrix ( Shingriks) and Zostavax (Zostavax).

Shingrix contains a small amount of surface antigens of the virus and an “adjuvant” which consists of substances that enhance the immune response. Zostavax live attenuated vaccine

Is shingles (shingles) contagious?

Shingles is contagious only when the rash is blistering. At this time, VZV can be transmitted from one person to another through direct physical contact, through traces of infected fluids on blisters when sharing towels, bed linen and utensils.

You can only get the shingles virus, not the shingles itself : If a person who has never had chickenpox before gets infected with VZV from someone with shingles, they will develop chickenpox, the first infection that VZV causes when ingested, and never immediately get sick with herpes zoster.

If a person gets shingles during pregnancy, it is usually mild and does not pose any additional risk to the person or their unborn child. But still, you need to remember – Pregnant women who have never had chickenpox should avoid contact with people with chickenpox and shingles as a precaution. they can infect other people with VZV, and developing chickenpox during pregnancy can lead to potentially serious health complications for both the pregnant person and the developing fetus.

Herpes zoster rarely affects children under three years of age and may only affect children who have already had chickenpox. However, a weakened immune system as a result of an autoimmune disease, another chronic or serious illness, or due to excessive stress can make a child more likely to develop shingles.

Diagnosis

Since the herpes zoster rash is instantly identifiable due to its dermatomal pattern and the presence of accompanying pain, usually on one side of the body, this may be sufficient for a correct diagnosis. The doctor usually performs a physical examination and may take a swab from the blister, sending a sample of cells from the area of skin to a lab to confirm the diagnosis.

After diagnosing shingles, your doctor will give you recommendations to ease the discomfort associated with shingles.

Rest and relaxation
Wear loose clothing
Keep rash clean and dry to dry blisters.
Do not cover the rash so that the blisters can progress to the scab stage as quickly as possible.
Use cool compresses to relieve burning sensations on the skin.
Avoid sharing bed linen, clothing, or towels as this may spread the infection to others.

Medications to promote recovery

Medications that may be prescribed to relieve shingles and flare-ups may include:

Pain relievers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol. In some cases, antidepressants or anticonvulsants may be prescribed due to their pain-relieving properties, which can work effectively when combined with other pain relievers.
Antiviral drugs (acyclovir, valaciclovir, famciclovir)

But, despite all the modern means of control, you need to be prepared for the fact that the virus remains alive with a recovered person and the purpose of these drugs is only to prevent complications and reduce discomfort.

In our next issue, we will talk about the 4th type of human herpes virus – Epstein-Barr virus, which is accused of “weakened immunity” in children and adults, and even in the occurrence of oncology. We will look for the truth about this difficult type of virus and remove unnecessary slander.

Childish rash on the body of a child

What is strawberry tongue and slapped cheek syndrome? Why is measles called the first disease and scarlet fever the second? Why does the banal roseola scare parents so much? In honor of Children’s Day, we are talking about childhood infections.

Any medical student knows about the six primary exanthems. These are infectious diseases with similar manifestations: they always begin with a fever and are accompanied by skin rashes, which are otherwise called exanthems. Mostly children get sick of them – usually easily, but some infections from this list can be dangerous, while others, although harmless, often make parents nervous. Here is the famous classic six.

First: measles

Measles, which practicing pediatricians have not encountered for a long time, is now on everyone’s lips – the outbreak of the first disease has spread to a dozen European countries, and the incidence is growing in Russia. Measles is not as mild a disease as is commonly believed. It is unpleasant to get sick with it even in childhood, and adults, due to the peculiarities of the immune system, endure it hard. In addition, it is dangerous with complications that can develop in anyone: measles pneumonia, purulent otitis media, laryngeal stenosis, bronchitis, kidney, liver and brain damage. The consequence of measles can be deafness or blindness, people still die from it.

A typical symptom: spots of Belsky – Filatov – Koplik – a white rash similar to semolina, surrounded by a red border. They appear on the mucous membrane of the cheeks about a day before the measles rash.

Prevention and treatment : there is no cure for measles, the most reliable prevention of infection is a double vaccination.

Second: scarlet fever

All Soviet schoolchildren knew about the existence of this disease – from the gloomy poem “Death of a Pioneer” by Eduard Bagritsky, the heroine of which was dying in the hospital. In the 30s of the last century, when this work was written, scarlet fever was one of the most severe childhood infections. In our time, it is incomparably easier – experts attribute this to both improving the quality of life of children and the availability of antibiotics.

Scarlet fever is caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus. It is similar to a sore throat, but is manifested not only by high fever, general malaise and sore throat, but also by a small rash, which usually appears on the cheeks, on the folds of the arms and legs, under the armpits a day after the onset of the disease , on the sides of the body. Scarlet fever is a very contagious disease, according to sanitary standards it is subject to control: having made such a diagnosis, the doctor must inform the epidemic surveillance authority. After recovery, quarantine is established for up to 12 days.

Typical symptom: strawberry tongue – the surface of the tongue is scarlet, dotted with white dots.

Prevention and treatment : hemolytic streptococcus is transmitted by airborne droplets, the risk of infection is reduced by personal hygiene – washing hands, wet cleaning, etc. Scarlet fever is treated with antibiotics.

Third: rubella

Given the high contagiousness of rubella and the fact that the patient begins to isolate the virus long before the onset of the first symptoms, it is easy to get sick with it if there is no vaccination. Often rubella is very mild, sometimes only with a rash, or even asymptomatic. Sometimes, when there are no rashes, it is mistaken for a mild SARS. However, the patient is still contagious.

The main danger of rubella is for pregnant women: infection during pregnancy can lead to interruption or severe pathologies in the fetus. The risk is higher the shorter the gestational age, which is why a blood test for antibodies to rubella and, if it is negative, a subsequent vaccination, are included in the preparation plan for conception. Children are vaccinated against rubella at the same time as measles – at 12 months and 6 years.

A typical symptom: an increase in the cervical lymph nodes before the appearance of a rash, red dots in the sky – the so-called Forksheimer’s spots. The rash itself is smooth to the touch, similar to drops of paint. She acts first on the face and behind the ears, then on the rest of the skin.

Prevention and treatment : there is a vaccine for rubella, but no specific treatment.

Fourth: mononucleosis

Previously, the fourth was Filatov-Dukes disease – scarlatinal rubella. It was described as a mild form of scarlet fever, with a low fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a similar rash that went away on its own without complications. Subsequently, it ceased to be considered an independent disease.

Now the fourth disease is called infectious mononucleosis, although it is not always accompanied by a rash. The symptoms of this disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus are very diverse – it usually manifests itself with fever, sore throat, liver enlargement, general malaise, but joint pain, headaches, herpes on the skin, etc. can also occur. The rash with mononucleosis is similar to red spots are irregular in shape and occur in about 25 percent of cases. There is another type of rash characteristic of this disease: in the event that the patient takes antibiotics prescribed by mistake or “just in case”, the so-called ampicillin rash may develop. She, unlike the usual, not associated with antibiotics, can itch – including at night, causing severe discomfort.

Typical symptoms: prolonged fever, inflammation of the tonsils, significant enlargement of the lymph nodes, ampicillin rash.

Prevention and treatment : personal hygiene – Epstein-Barr virus is very common and easily transmitted by airborne droplets and through household contact (mononucleosis is also called the kissing disease). The disease is treated with antiviral and symptomatic drugs.

Fifth: erythema infectiosum

The fifth disease, parvovirus infection, slap disease, is all erythema infectiosum, very common among children. It begins with fever, headache and runny nose, but differs from acute respiratory infections in rashes on the cheeks, and then on the body. The rash slowly passes, sometimes itches, becomes brighter, for example, in the heat. The fifth disease, caused by parvovirus B19, is mild and without consequences. However, there are two categories of people for whom this infection can be dangerous – pregnant women, especially in the early stages, and patients with anemia, in particular sickle cell. If they become infected with parvovirus, they need to see a doctor.

A typical symptom: in children – slapped cheek syndrome (bright red skin on the cheeks), in adults – joint pain. The rash on the body looks like lace.

Prevention and treatment : personal hygiene, treatment is not usually required.

Sixth: roseola

This disease is very frightening for parents, and doctors do not always recognize it, which leads to unnecessary prescription of antibiotics. The child suddenly develops a high temperature, which is difficult to reduce with the help of antipyretics. There are no other symptoms – no cough, no runny nose, no pain of any kind.

In fact, there is nothing dangerous in roseola. It develops when a child becomes infected with the herpes simplex virus type 6. This happens so often that almost all children have time to get sick with roseola before the age of 5. You can only transfer it once in your life.

A typical symptom: exactly after 3 days the temperature returns to normal sharply (hence another name for roseola – children’s three-day fever) and a rash appears in another day.

Prevention and treatment : not required – roseola is not dangerous and goes away on its own.

How to recognize scarlet fever and why “stars” on the skin are alarming

Of course, the list of infections that may be accompanied by rashes is not limited to these six diseases. It is quite large – this is chickenpox, and enterovirus infection, and yersiniosis, and shingles, and many others. Unfortunately, among such infections there are also very dangerous ones, in which delay can lead to serious consequences and death of a person. How not to miss such situations, what to pay special attention to when a rash is an alarming symptom, in which cases laboratory tests are needed, says pediatrician Elena Nikiforova, medical expert at the laboratory of personalized medicine LabQuest.

In what cases is it necessary to take tests?

– As a rule, these diseases are diagnosed clinically, because there is a typical picture of the disease. This applies to measles, rubella, roseola, infectious erythema, in which the rash appears at a certain point and in stages. With measles, the diagnosis is further confirmed in the infectious diseases department – this disease is not treated at home. With rubella, the doctor may order general blood and urine tests if there is a suspicion that a bacterial infection has joined.

With scarlet fever, the diagnosis is a test for group A streptococcus. There are home tests that help to differentiate the pathogen on the spot, a throat swab is taken in the laboratory. You need to take the test promptly, at the first symptoms, before starting treatment and even using symptomatic remedies – a throat spray, lozenges, etc. If the result is positive, and the child has a fever, red throat, raids on the tonsils, an antibiotic is prescribed.

Now, a blood test for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, is being massively prescribed. And often, treatment is prescribed even if IgG antibodies are detected, which indicate a previous infection and developed immunity. Mononucleosis is treated only in the acute period – this can be determined using a blood test for type M antibodies (IgM).

When is a fever and rash a reason to call an ambulance?

– There is a principle that doctors adhere to and that parents should take note of: any fever and rash is a reason to immediately call an ambulance. First of all, it is necessary to diagnose meningococcemia. Meningococcal infection affects the lining of the brain. Very rarely, this happens at lightning speed, with meningitis there is at least a day to diagnose this disease and begin to treat it. Meningococcemia develops when the infection begins to affect the walls of blood vessels, it actively multiplies, a toxin is released into the blood, and sepsis develops. This is a lightning-fast disease in which a child can die in just a matter of hours. The rash in this case is specific – it resembles hemorrhagic “asterisks”. If a child has a fever, and there are at least one or two such elements on the skin, this is a reason to immediately call an ambulance or take him to the infectious diseases department of the nearest hospital on his own.

A hemorrhagic rash can also appear with a disease such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia. This is an autoimmune disease that can develop against the background of any infectious process. The patient’s platelet count drops in the blood and a characteristic rash may appear – usually on the legs, on the stomach.