Rash - Localized And Cause Unknown

Symptoms

DEFINITION

• Rash on one small part of the body (localized or clustered)
• Red or pink rash
• Small spots, large spots or solid red
• Includes localized areas of redness or skin irritation

Causes

• Main cause: skin contact with some irritant.
• Other common causes: 7 rashes that you may be able to recognize are listed below. If you suspect one of them, go there. If not, use this guideline.

Localized Versus Widespread Rash: How to Decide

• Localized means the rash occurs on one small part of the body. Usually, the rash is just on one side of the body (e.g., occurring on 1 foot). Exceptions: Athlete’s foot can occur on both feet. Insect bites can be scattered.
• Widespread means the rash occurs on larger areas (e.g., both legs or the entire back) or most of the body surface. Widespread rashes always occur on matching (or both) sides of the body. Many viral rashes occur on the chest, abdomen and back.
• The causes of widespread rashes usually are blood-borne (e.g., caused by viruses, bacteria, toxins, food or drug allergies that enter the blood stream).
• The causes of localized rashes are usually something that has contact with the skin (e.g., chemical, allergen, insect bite, ringworm fungus, bacteria, irritants).
• This is why it's important to make this distinction.

Return to School

• Children with localized rashes do not need to miss any child care or school.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

For an itchy rash:

• • ATHLETE'S FOOT (itchy pink rash between the toes) 
  • INSECT BITE
  • POISON IVY
  • RINGWORM (round pink patch, slowly increasing in size)

• For an non-itchy rash:

  • NEWBORN RASHES
  • DIAPER RASH
  • IMPETIGO (Infected Sores) (small sores covered by soft yellow scabs)

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR LOCALIZED RASHES

1. Reassurance: New localized rashes are usually due to skin contact with an irritating substance.
2. Avoid the Cause:
   • Try to find the cause.
   • Consider irritants like a plant (e.g., poison ivy), chemicals (e.g., solvents or insecticides), fiberglass, detergents, a new cosmetic, or new jewelry (e.g., nickel).
   • A pet may be the intermediary (e.g., with poison ivy or oak) or your child may react directly to pet saliva.
3. Avoid Soap: Wash the area once thoroughly with soap to remove any remaining irritants. Thereafter avoid soaps to this area. Cleanse the area when needed with warm water.
4. Local Cold: Apply a cold wet washcloth or soak in cold water for 20 minutes every 3 to 4 hours to reduce itching or pain.
5. Steroid Cream: If the itch is more than mild, apply 1% hydrocortisone cream (no prescription needed) 4 times per day. (EXCEPTION: suspected ringworm)
6. Avoid Scratching: Encourage your child not to scratch. Cut the fingernails short.
7. Contagiousness: Children with localized rashes do not need to miss any child care or school.
8. Expected Course: Most of these rashes pass in 2 to 3 days.
9. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Rash spreads or becomes worse
   • Rash lasts over 1 week
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Photo Example

Copyright Barton Schmitt MD, Self Care Decisions LLC. Used by Permission.

From the CDC's Public Health Image Library (http://phil.cdc.gov), ID#4510, in the public domain.

Copyright 2000-20012. Self Care Decisions, LLC. Used by Permission.