Skin rash is a common symptom of many childhood illnesses and conditions. Some conditions cause a rash specifically on your child's torso, which can then spread to other parts of your child's body. The appearance of the rash, as well as other symptoms associated with the rash, differ among the different conditions. Let your pediatrician know all the symptoms and time frame in which they have occurred to help to diagnose the cause of the rash. If your child has a skin rash associated with high fever, breathing problems and extreme vomiting, call your doctor immediately.
Hives
Hives are raised, red or skin-colored areas of your child's skin that can quickly spread all over your child’s body. They are most commonly seen on the chest and abdomen and can disappear and reappear within minutes to hours. Hives are welts that have no distinct shape or size and they can occur as single welts or in multiple, overlapping patches. Hives usually itch and develop as a result of an allergic reaction, but they may also occur due to colds or fevers. Watch for other, more serious, allergic symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, blocked airways and loss of consciousness that can be life-threatening. While hives may go away on their own, common treatment options include over-the-counter antihistamine medications.
Chicken Pox
Chicken pox is a type of viral rash that is characterized by small, red and itchy bumps, which gradually increase in numbers as the illness progresses. The bumps can occur on your child's torso, face and extremities. In addition, your child also experiences fever and generalized weakness during the illness. As the bumps increase in numbers, they will also begin to blister and eventually, crust over. Chicken pox typically lasts about seven days and is no longer contagious once the fever is gone and all the blisters have crusted over. Chicken pox is not typically treated with any antiviral medications and it is left to clear on its own. Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Oatmeal baths and antihistamines can help to reduce itching, according to the MedlinePlus.
Fifth Disease
Similar to chicken pox, fifth disease is a common viral illness that presents itself as a pimple-like rash on the torso, arms and legs. The rash can be itchy and is sometimes accompanied by a fever, runny nose, cough and weakness, but some children can only have the rash without any other symptoms. The rash can also come and go for several months. There is no treatment for fifth disease, but you can help to ease the symptoms with Benadryl liquid and fever-reducing medications.
Roseola
Roseola is a third common childhood viral illness. It is associated with high fever, typically over 104 degrees F, and, unlike fifth disease and chicken pox, the rash appears only after the fever is gone. The rash consist of non-itchy red spots that first appear on the neck and back, but can spread to the belly, legs, arms and face. There is no treatment for roseola, but you can help to reduce the high fever with medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, and sponge baths. If these do not lower the fever, call your doctor immediately.
Contact Rash
A contact rash can develop when your child's skin is in contact with an irritant, such as poison ivy, certain soaps, detergents, grasses or chemicals. Contact rash appears as small red bumps with a slightly crusty surface that can appear in one or two small patches or can occur over large patches covering most of your child’s body. Contact rash can be treated with a hydrocortisone cream, but to prevent it from recurring, you need to identify the cause and avoid using it on your child.
