Anyone Heard of a Viral Rash

Updated on November 16, 2008
K.R. asks from Lutz, FL
9 answers

My son who is 17 months old had a couple of episodes a year ago that his pediatrician termed a "viral rash". It was usually following a high fever and consisted of tiny red bumps covering his entire body that took a week or so to go away. He has recently had a similary "break out" for lack of a better term, but has not had a recent fever. I tried to think if he had eaten anything new and couldn't think of anything. I gave him a couple of doses of Benadryl like my pediatrician had recommended last time and it is slowly getting better. I haven't taken him to doctor b/c I am thinking she will tell me to continue what I am already doing. I was just wondering if anyone had any similar experiences to share. He has pretty sensitive skin and eczema, so I have to really watch sometimes and sometimes he is completely clear. Thanks.

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P.N.

answers from Tampa on

After a fever, I would agree that it was a viral issue. Without the fever, you are probaly dealing with an allergy. It could be environmental or it might be food related. Food allergies can cause excema. You might consider keeping a food log, then if he has a similar reaction you can pinpoint what caused it. On the environmental side, have you switched detergents or cleaning products? Is there a new animal that he is coming in contact with?

Hope this helps
P.

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J.W.

answers from Tampa on

Morning, I believe what you are talkin about is the Roseola Virus. My son had it back last December when he was about 6 months the same weekend of Christmas.It freaked me out, he had a high fever for 2 days, then the fever broke, he began to turn red first on his face by day 3 he was red from his hair line to the cuticle on his toe nails.! he will be fine, no treatment for it, i would take him to the doctor to be safe, I gave my son tylenol and motrin to break the fever. Check with you doc. Here is something from about.com - http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/commoninfections/a/roseola...

Take care-
Jess

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C.S.

answers from Lakeland on

This happens to my daughter when I use certain sunscreens on her. Believe it or not, it happens most with the sunscreens specially designed for kids. Just a thought if you used sunscreen on him lately.

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B.W.

answers from Tampa on

My son gets something similar. His are red spots mostly on his face around nose and eyes but was told it was possible to get them on his body also. He gets these just before he gets sick and stays for a couple of days after he is better.

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K.H.

answers from Sarasota on

It sounds like it could have been Roseola - just a viral skin rash. Usually the child will have a high fever, and then a rash will follow immediately after and last for a few days. A mild illness can cause the Roseola rash to return, but you should rule out allergies first just to be safe.

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A.M.

answers from Tampa on

Yup, it is also called a secondary viral infection. Minor but irritating. My kids have the sensitive skin too. Love that Aquaphor! Oatmeal baths can help too. This can be done in a couple of ways. Aveno makes these packets to put in your bath water ( they look like instant -to eat - oatmeal). Or you can use a blender / food processor to turn some regular cooking oats to a fine powder that you can then put in the bath water. And last but not least , take whole oats and put about a cup in the toe of an old stocking and swish that around in the bath while running the water. It can also be used to "scrub" the skin. Of course the tub will need a good scrub too , rinse the tub right away, you know how hard it is to remove dried oatmeal;) My oldest got the chicken pox when he was little --before the vaccine was common--he loved the oatmeal bath.
And as kinda gross at it sounds don't give him head-to-toe-with-soap bath as often till his skin clears. These can be really h*** o* sensitive skin. Do wash hands and face often of course.
Keep on with what you are doing and follow your Momtuition. Hey, my youngest is 17 mos now too. :)

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K.C.

answers from Fort Myers on

My son had these several times. Basically every fever, even mild ones, he broke out in a rash. He did out grow this about 3 years old.

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A.G.

answers from Punta Gorda on

It may not be something he ate, it may be something he came into contact. Instead of giving him Benadryl to swallow, you may try Benadryl in a cream for and rub it directly on the rash. This may help it heal faster. My girls don't seem to get as drowsy with the cream either. My Dr. says not to give them both at the same time, because they can overdose. Also if you put in on the skin right after a shower or bath, the pores are more open. Good Luck, and I think you are doing fine.

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S.S.

answers from Tampa on

My son also gets a rash on his back and chest when he is coming down with a cold. He's been this way since he was an infant and he's now 3. My husband is a RN and he says the rash is just the way his virus presents, which is common in children. He does not always have a fever when he gets the rash. The last time we used corn starch to relieve the itching because the creams keep the rash wet and it's irritating to his skin. His rash never lasts more than 3 days.

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