You may be alarmed when your baby's skin starts looking red and irritated, particularly if she's experiencing other symptoms such as a fever and breathing problems. Viral rashes are fairly common among infants, particularly those who visit day care or have older siblings in school. In most cases, the rash and other symptoms will clear up within a few days, but a visit to your pediatrician for a proper diagnosis is always a wise choice.
Types
Viral rashes can present as a flat, raised, lacy or bumpy red area and can appear anywhere on an infant's body, including his trunk, legs, face, mouth or hands. He may also have flaking or cracked skin, open sores or blisters. Viral rashes need not be red in color, they may be flesh colored, pink, or even very pale. Some viral rashes, such as molluscum contagiosum, appear as small pimple-like bumps anywhere on the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Effects
Some viral rashes, such as fifth disease or molluscum contagiosum, can be itchy. Others may not itch, but can cause pain or discomfort. Many viral rashes will involve a fever, either before or while the rash is present. In some cases, the fever may come on very quickly and/or be alarming high, as is sometimes the case with roseola, also known as sixth disease. Your infant may also show signs of a respiratory infection, such as a runny nose, watery eyes or a sore throat.
Identification
You will need to bring your infant to her pediatrician for a proper diagnosis. Some viral rashes can be easily identified upon visual inspection. For example, fifth disease has a characteristic "slapped cheek" appearance which is easily identified. For other viral rashes, your pediatrician may want to examine some of the skin cells of the rash under a microscope or perform a blood test to look for antibodies for the virus, although this is not common practice for most viral rashes.
Prevention
Having friends, family or caregivers wash their hands before handling your infant is the best way to prevent him from picking up a viral rash. If your infant is mobile and spends time in a day care setting, make sure your day care provider cleans surfaces and shared toys on a daily basis to prevent the spread of viral rashes from one child to another. Some viral rashes, such as roseola, are spread through droplets caused by coughing or sneezing, reports MedlinePlus. (reference 4)
Warning
Although most viral rashes will fade away on their own, it is important to have your infant's rash diagnosed and treated by your family doctor. In some cases, viral rashes can lead to serious medical conditions such as viral meningitis, encephalitis or seizure. If your infant's rash includes a high fever or if she appears lethargic or unusually irritable, contact your pediatrician to find out if additional examination or treatment is necessary.
