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What is scarlet fever rash?
What does scarlet fever look like?
What is scarlet fever?
Can a child get scarlet fever?
The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck). A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads.
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- Overview
- Appearance
- How to identify it
- Is it dangerous?
- Treatment
- When to see a doctor
- Summary
People get scarlet fever from a bacterium called group A Streptococcus, which is also known as group A strep. This bacterium can sometimes release a poison that causes a rash. The illness gets its name from the resulting rash, which can be scarlet colored.
Group A strep bacteria usually live in the nose and throat, and they can spread when a person with the infection coughs or sneezes. People can get scarlet fever by breathing in these droplets. They can also get it from touching a contaminated surface, drinking from the same glass as someone with the infection, or touching sores that group A strep has caused.
A few days after a person gets sick with group A strep, a rash usually appears. Some people may notice a rash before they develop a fever or sore throat, while others may not see a rash until 7 days after the first appearance of other symptoms.
The rash is due to group A strep producing an exotoxin. This poisonous substance causes an inflammatory response on the skin, resulting in the distinctive scarlet rash that has a sandpaper feel.
The rash may first appear on the neck, underarm, and groin, but in time, it can spread across the whole body. At first, the rash appears as small, flat blotches, but these slowly become fine bumps that feel like sandpaper. The skin around the mouth may turn paler, while the cheeks appear flushed.
In people with lighter skin, the creases of the underarm, elbow, and groin may also turn bright red.
It can be more difficult to see scarlet fever rash on darker skin, but it will still have the characteristic sandpaper-like texture.
After about 7 days, the rash usually disappears. When the rash begins to fade, the skin around the fingertips, toes, and groin may peel. Peeling can last several weeks.
Although anyone can get scarlet fever, some people are more prone to it.
Scarlet fever is more common in children aged 5–15 years. Some adults at risk of scarlet fever include parents and caregivers of school-aged children and adults who are in contact with children — for example, day care providers, teachers, and other family members.
Crowded areas, such as schools, day care centers, and military training centers, can increase the risk of infection.
The typical presentation of scarlet fever is:
•high fever
•red and sore throat
Before the development of antibiotics, scarlet fever was dangerous. Serious consequences of scarlet fever are uncommon today, but some long-term health problems can occur. These include:
•abscesses around the tonsils
•swollen lymph nodes in the neck
•ear, sinus, and skin infections
•pneumonia
•rheumatic fever
Scarlet fever is a mild illness. People with scarlet fever usually require antibiotics because there is a chance that the infection could spread to other parts of the body and cause more severe issues. If a person decides not to take antibiotics, they may be contagious for up to 3 weeks.
Penicillin and amoxicillin are the recommended first-line treatments. For those with a penicillin allergy, cephalosporins may help. After about 24 hours of taking antibiotics, the person is no longer contagious and may notice an improvement in their symptoms.
People with scarlet fever require medical attention. Anyone who experiences fever and a rash should see a doctor immediately. As scarlet fever can resemble other infectious diseases, a correct diagnosis is essential.
Scarlet fever requires prescription antibiotics. Anyone experiencing complications of scarlet fever, even while on antibiotics, should speak with a doctor. Some strains of group A strep are resistant to some antibiotics.
Scarlet fever rash is a symptom of scarlet fever. Other symptoms include a sore throat and fever.
Children, and adults in frequent contact with children, are most at risk of getting scarlet fever. It is a very contagious infection that usually spreads through respiratory secretions from coughing and sneezing.
Scarlet fever usually starts with a sudden fever associated with sore throat, swollen neck glands, headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, swollen and red strawberry tongue, abdominal pain, body aches, and malaise. The characteristic rash appears 12–48 hours after the start of the fever.
Mar 29, 2019 · Updated 29 March 2019. Scarlet fever (sometimes called scarlatina) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus ( GAS ). The same bacteria...
- Scarlet fever (sometimes called scarlatina) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus (GA...
- Scarlet fever is spread via the mucus and saliva of infected people. It can also be caught from any drinking glasses, plates or utensils they have...
- The first symptoms of scarlet fever often include a sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.After 12 to 48 hours the characteristic fine...
- Scarlet fever is highly contagious. Bacteria are present in the mouth, throat or nose of an infected person, or someone carrying the bacteria witho...
- Scarlet fever is mainly a childhood disease, with around 90% of cases occurring in children under 10 years old. It is most common in children betwe...
- Most mild cases of scarlet fever will clear up on their own, but it is still best to see your GP if you, or your child, are showing symptoms. Havin...
- Most cases of scarlet fever have no complications at all. However, in the early stages, there is a small risk that you might get one of the followi...
- If you would like more information about scarlet fever, please visit the NHS.UK website.If you have any concerns about your health see your GP or c...
Home. Illnesses and conditions. Infections and poisoning. Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children. It causes a distinctive pink-red rash. The illness is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, also known as Group A Streptococcus, which are found on the skin and in the throat. Scarlet fever symptoms.
Jun 7, 2022 · The red rash of scarlet fever usually begins on the face or neck, later spreading to the chest, trunk, arms and legs. Scarlet fever is most common in children 5 to 15 years of age. Although scarlet fever was once considered a serious childhood illness, antibiotic treatments have made it less threatening.
What is scarlet fever in children? Scarlet fever is an infectious disease that causes a rash. It’s also known as scarlatina. It is caused by the same kind of bacteria that cause strep throat. It may also be caused by infected wounds or burns. The rash is made up of tiny red bumps that feel like sandpaper. What causes scarlet fever in a child ...
