You’ve in all probability bought some methods for if you or your kiddo aren’t feeling effectively. These would possibly embody scorching tea with honey, ibuprofen and a cool compress, or piling up the mattress with pillows and blankets for some additional cozy relaxation. Regardless, it’s necessary to look at your (or your youngster’s) signs. As a result of some signs – like a fever that’s paired with a rash – are alerts that it’s time for an expert analysis.
Scarlet fever, or scarlatina, is one among various situations which have fever and rash amongst their primary signs. Though it’s thought-about gentle, remedy remains to be necessary for stopping doable unwanted side effects or issues, and for decreasing its period, signs and contagiousness. Right here, we clarify what causes it, different key signs, and what a analysis and remedy seem like.
What’s scarlet fever?
Scarlet fever is an an infection attributable to group A streptococcus (strep) micro organism – the principle kind of micro organism liable for strep throat. Scarlet fever is especially characterised by a purple rash with a tough, sandpapery texture, which is the physique’s irritation response to toxins that strep micro organism produce.
Folks’s our bodies reply to these toxins in another way, so some folks can get strep throat with out growing scarlet fever, however circumstances of scarlet fever normally develop alongside strep throat. Much less generally, scarlet fever may also develop alongside pores and skin infections attributable to group A strep, resembling impetigo.
Like strep throat, anybody can get scarlet fever, nevertheless it’s most typical in youngsters 5-15 years previous, and spreads simply in crowded environments like colleges.
How scarlet fever spreads
Throughout an an infection, group A strep micro organism stay within the nostril and throat. Due to this, they are often unfold within the droplets from coughs or sneezes, or via shared objects which were contaminated by these droplets. It’s additionally doable to catch scarlet fever by touching impetigo sores, and from group A strep coming into the physique via damaged pores and skin.
Scarlet fever signs that overlap with strep throat
When scarlet fever is expounded to a case of strep throat, strep throat signs sometimes seem earlier than the rash. These signs normally embody a fever and sore throat, in addition to:
- Chills
- Painful swallowing
- Head or physique aches
- Abdomen ache, nausea or vomiting
What a scarlet fever rash and different signs seem like
A scarlet fever rash normally begins as small purple patches on the torso, underarms and groin. From there, it spreads throughout many of the physique and takes on a tough, sandpapery texture. In pores and skin folds resembling on the elbows and armpits, the rash could also be significantly purple. The rash usually doesn’t unfold to the face, however the cheeks might turn into flushed, and the world across the mouth could also be pale. A key distinction between scarlet fever and different rash-causing situations like impetigo, chickenpox and hand-foot-and-mouth illness is that scarlet fever doesn’t contain sores or blisters.
Different bodily signs of scarlet fever can embody:
- Pink, swollen tonsils and throat, which can develop whitish or yellowish spots or streaks
- Swollen lymph nodes
- A whitish or yellowish coating on the tongue that fades after just a few days, leaving the tongue purple and bumpy (which is typically referred to as “strawberry tongue”)
How lengthy scarlet fever lasts
In scarlet fever circumstances involving strep throat, strep throat signs will seem 2-5 days after publicity. The rash sometimes seems a day or two later however can seem earlier or as much as every week later. The rash tends to final for a couple of week, and after it fades, affected pores and skin might peel for a number of weeks.
How lengthy scarlet fever stays contagious
With out remedy, scarlet fever is contagious for 1-2 weeks. Nonetheless, docs usually advocate treating scarlet fever in youngsters, as it could actually progress right into a extra critical situation referred to as rheumatic fever if left untreated. As soon as the fever is gone and a minimum of 24 hours have handed since beginning remedy, scarlet fever is not thought-about contagious.
How scarlet fever is recognized
Docs diagnose scarlet fever with an examination and by testing to verify that group A strep is current. This usually entails a throat swab.
Scarlet fever is handled utilizing antibiotics
As a result of scarlet fever is attributable to micro organism, it may be handled very successfully with antibiotics. Antibiotics scale back scarlet fever period, signs and contagiousness, along with serving to forestall issues. When you or your youngster have began a course of antibiotics, signs ought to begin to enhance inside 24 hours. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to maintain taking your antibiotics till you full the complete course.
Dwelling treatments for scarlet fever signs
Whereas antibiotics are the principle remedy for scarlet fever itself, the signs will be managed in just a few methods:
- Fever and ache will be lowered utilizing acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Don’t give youngsters or youngsters aspirin, because it’s been linked to a uncommon situation referred to as Reye’s Syndrome.
- Swelling and discomfort within the mouth and throat will be lowered utilizing saltwater rinses, in addition to by maintaining a humidifier within the room the place you or your youngster are recovering. Gentle meals are additionally really helpful to assist preserve power up if swallowing is painful.
- The scarlet fever rash could also be itchy, so an over-the-counter anti-itch ointment might scale back the chance of micro organism stepping into the pores and skin via scratching. Conserving fingernails trimmed quick may also assist.
In the event you’re seeing a rash with fever or different scarlet fever signs, speak to a health care provider
There are a lot of situations that may trigger pores and skin rashes, so should you or your youngster are experiencing a rash accompanied by strep or different signs, a analysis goes to be the important thing to efficient remedy. A major care physician can present the examination, assessments and remedy suggestions to assist make restoration as quick and cozy as doable.
