Seek urgent care or emergency room.

Hospital Continue

What about swollen lips or tongue?

Or throat feeling tight?

Yes No

Call 911 or seek emergency room visit.

Call 911

Does he or she feel like passing out in addition to this rash?

Yes No

Go to the Emergency Room.

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER Continue

Is the pulse weak or rapid with this rash?

Yes No

Go to the Emergency Room.

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER Continue

Does his or her skin feel flushed with this rash?

Yes No

Seek urgent care or emergency room.

Nearest Clinic Continue

Those were to rule out going to the emergency room.

Let's see what the rash is all about.

Continue

Would you describe the rash as bright red with sand papery feeling?

First appearing on the neck and chest area?

Yes No

Does the child also have a sore throat?

Yes No

Yes?
A major symptom of scarlet fever.

Continue

What about a stomach pain with this rash and fever?

Yes No

Yes?
This is a symptom of scarlet fever.

Continue

Any muscle ache or headache...

With the bright red, sand papery feeling rash?

Yes No

Yes?
Suspecting a possible scarlet fever.

Continue

Those questions were to rule out scarlet fever.

If those questions apply to your child, you should seek urgent medical care. If not, let's continue.

Urgent Care Continue

Yes?
Let's rule out possible Chickenpox or even measles.

Continue

Are these raised red or pink bumps?

Breaking out over a few days now and itchy?

Yes No

Yes?
Suspecting chickenpox. But not so fast.

Usually the rash of chickenpox is itchy red or pink raised bumps that breaks out over several days.

Continue

Did this rash first appear as red dots on the face, scalp and torso of the child?

This would have progressed into bumps over 12 hours or so.

Yes No

Yes?
A symptom of chickenpox. But don't panic yet.

Continue

Are you looking at itchy blisters that is filled with fluid?

Forming from raised bumps over a day now?

Yes No

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Nearest Clinic Continue

Those were some of the starting symptoms of chickenpox.

If you think you are looking at chickenpox, seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Know that chickenpox is very contagious and will last anywhere from 5 to 10 days.

If not chickenpox, then let's continue and see what may have caused the rash.

FYI Nearest Clinic Continue

Yes?
Let's rule out possible measles.

Though measles have been virtually eradicated in the U.S, we will take a quick look.

Some parents choose not to vaccinate their children for one reason or another.

Continue

Is this a red, blotchy rash that started on the face or head and behind the ears?

Spreading downward to the chest, back and then to the feet?

Yes No

Yes?
This describes the rash of a measle infection.

Continue

Does the child have blood shot eyes with this rash?

Or conjunctivitis?

Yes No

Yes?
This is a symptom of measles.

Continue

Look inside the mouth towards the cheek lining.

Do you see tiny white spots with bluish-white centers?

This is also called Koplik's spots

Yes No

Yes?
This is a sign of measles infection. Give the doctor a call.

Hospital Continue

We just touched briefly on signs of a measles infection.

If these signs and symptoms apply to your child, seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

If not, let's continue

Urgent Care Continue

Yes?
Let's rule out possible cellulitis.

Continue

Is the affected area red and warm to touch?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

Is the area swollen and painful?

Yes No

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Nearest Clinic Continue

Does the affected area on the child appear tight?

Or stretched?

Yes No

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Nearest Clinic Continue

Those questions were to rule out cellulitis.

If you think your child is looking at one, seek urgent care for the child.

Urgent Care Continue

Yes?
Let's rule out a serious illness like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

This can be deadly if not treated within the first 8 days of symptoms developing.

Continue

Do you remember any recent tick bites on the child?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

What about exposure to high uncut grass areas or tick infested areas?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

Any recent travel to areas of high incidence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

Yes No

Yes?
This is how you can get rocky mountain spotted fever.

To be on the safe side, let's see the symptoms of rocky mountain spotted fever.

Continue

Those were ways to get rocky mountain spotted fever.

If none apply to your child, let's continue.

To be on the safe side, let's see the symptoms of rocky mountain spotted fever.

Continue No need.

Yes?

Continue

Before the rash, did your child experience a very high fever?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

What about shaking chills

And nausea and vomiting?

Yes No

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Nearest Clinic Continue

Was he or she aching all over with a severe headache?

Yes No

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Nearest Clinic Continue

Did this rash, after the fever, start as small, pink, non-itchy spots...

...On the Wrists, Forearms, Ankles?

May spread to include most of the body later (including the palms and the soles).

Yes No

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Nearest Clinic Continue

If any of the signs so far, have the child see a doctor.

Especially if your child has been in contact with ticks.

If this is not the case with the child, then let's continue and take a look at other rash types that include fever.

Urgent Care Continue

Let's rule out possible hand, foot and mouth disease.

Continue

Does the child also have painful ulcers in the mouth?

Or on the tongue?

Yes No

Yes?
Can be a symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease.

Hence the name hands, foot and mouth disease.

Continue

Does the child also have a sore throat?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

Any headaches with this very small blisters on the hands and feet?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

What about loss of appetite?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

Is this a red, itchy rash?

Yes No

Yes?
Rash of hand, foot and mouth does not usually itch.

Continue

Is the child feeling generally ill?
(Malaise)

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

Those were symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease.

If you suspect hand, foot and mouth disease, see the CDC website for a more detailed discussion.

Know that it is contagious and your child would have to see a doctor for a detailed evaluation.

But don't panic, complications are rare, but child may have to skip day care or school for now.

If not hand, foot and mouth disease, let's continue and see what may be causing this rash.

Urgent Care Continue

Let's make sure you are not looking at Lyme disease.

A child can get lyme disease if bitten by an infected tick.

Know that many people with Lyme disease never even feel, talkless of see a tick on their body.

The deer tick that carries the bacteria can be so small that they are almost impossible to see.

Continue

Is this rash like a flat or slightly raised red spot?

Yes No

Yes

Continue

Is this rash expanding in size?

Yes No

Yes?
This can be a sign of lyme disease.

Usually there may be a "bull's eye" looking rash at the site of the tick bite.

This rash will expand as time goes on, hence the name erythema migrans.

Continue

Does the rash feel warm to touch?

Yes No

Yes?
Rash of lyme disease can feel warm to touch.

Continue

Is this rash very itchy or painful?

Yes No

Yes?
The rash of a lyme disease is rarely itchy or painful.

Continue

Is (or was) there any chills and or fever?

Yes No

Yes?
This can be a symptom of lyme disease.

Continue

What about headaches?

Or even joint and muscle pains?

Yes No

Yes?
This can be a symptom of lyme disease.

Continue

If you are suspecting lyme disease, seek urgent care for the child.

FYI Nearest Clinic Continue

Is the rash more of itching or blistering?

Some can be both itchy and blistering
(Like poison ivy).

Itchy Blisters

Are you looking at patches that are itchy and red to brownish gray colored?

Yes No

Yes?
May be looking at eczema
(also called atopic dermatitis).

Continue

Are there areas of bumpy skin on the back of the arms and front of the thighs?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

What about small, raised blisters...

...Which may leak fluid and crust over when scratched?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

Are the affected areas thickened, leather-like, cracked or scaly?

Yes No

Yes?
This is a symptom of eczema called atopic dermatitis.

Would you like to visit our entry for eczema and see what a pharmacist recommend your child use or Continue?

Eczema Continue

Is the itching severe especially at night?

Yes No

Yes?
This can be a symptom of eczema.

Would you like to visit our entry for eczema and see what a pharmacist recommend you use over the counter or Continue for now?

Eczema Continue

Those were some signs and symptoms of eczema.

If they apply to your child, see our topic on eczema for a more specific discussion. If not, let's continue and check other things out.

Eczema Continue

Yes?

Continue

Is this rash a patch with a center that may be clear, scaly?

Or marked with a scattering of red bumps?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

Is this like a patch or group with slightly raised borders that is expanding outward?

Yes No

Yes?
Possibly looking at ringworm.

If you think so, then check out our discussion on ringworm for a more detailed analysis.

If you don't think it is ringworm, let's continue.

Ringworm Continue

Yes?
Possibly looking at hives.

Continue

Press on the center of a wheal.

Did it turn white?

Yes No

Yes?
More than likely looking at hives.

To know if it is hives, press on the center of a wheal. If it turns white, then you are more likely looking at hives.

This is called blanching.

Continue

If hives, wheal should turn white if pressed.

This is called blanching.

Continue

Does the child have an itchy feeling in the affected areas?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

What about a prickly feeling in the affected areas?

Yes No

Yes?
Suspecting a heat rash. This is one of the signs.

Continue

Are you seeing clear or red bumps in the affected skin area?

Yes No

Yes?
This is a sign of heat rash.

Continue

Those were common signs and symptoms of a heat rash.

If this is not what you are looking at, let's Continue.

Urgent Care Continue

Yes?
More than likely looking at contact dermatitis.

Continue

There are other causes of red, itchy rashes not covered here.

Let's see what else we can come up with besides red, itchy rashes.

It would be a good idea to take a look at blistering rash.

Urgent Care Continue

Are you looking at red sores that pop, ooze for a few days..

..and then form yellowish or honey colored crusts?

Yes No

Yes?
Probably looking at impetigo.

Continue

Are these red sores which may have started as a spot..

...but spreading to other areas with scratching?

Yes No

Yes?
Suspecting impetigo. Highly contagious bacteria infection.

It is more common in children and can develop after another skin infection or following a cold or viral infection.

Your child will have to seek urgent care for this. It is a bacteria infection that has to be treated with antibiotics.

Urgent Care Continue

Is the child experiencing red sores on the face, lips, arms, or legs, that spread to other areas?

Yes No

Yes?
Suspecting impetigo. A highly contagious bacteria infection.

Will have to seek urgent care for this. It is a bacteria infection that require antibiotics.

Urgent Care Continue

Those were a few signs of impetigo.

Impetigo is a bacteria infection that is highly contagious. Your child will need to seek urgent care or see a doctor for this.

It can develop after another skin infection or following a cold or viral infection.

If this is not the case, let's continue. Otherwise see the nearest urgent care children's clinic to you and take the child there.

Urgent Care Continue

Let's rule out possible poison ivy.

Continue

Has your child or anyone in the house been out in the woods the past 2 weeks or so?

Yes No

Yes?

Continue

Is this blistering rash red and itchy?

With a burning sensation?

Yes No

Yes?
This is a sign of poison ivy.

If you think you are looking at poison ivy, would you like to see our entry for poison ivy for a more detailed discussion or Continue.

Poison Ivy Continue

Those were possible signs of poison ivy.

If you think this is what you are looking at, see our discussion on poison ivy for a more detailed analysis. If not let's continue.

Poison Ivy Continue

Let's rule out possible scabies infection.

Continue

Is the child mainly experiencing itching on the wrist?
(mainly the inner part)

Itching in the elbows?

Yes No

Yes?
Start suspecting scabies infestation.

Continue

Is this itching very intense especially at night

And there are small red bumps?

Yes No

Yes?
Suspecting scabies infestation.

You should suspect scabies if the questions asked so far apply to your child and he or she has been in contact with someone with scabies the last 2 months or so.

If you think you are leaning towards scabies, check out our entry for scabies. Else let's Continue.

Scabies Continue

Those were some signs of a scabies infestation.

If they did not apply to your child, you may not be looking at a scabies infestation.

If you suspect something, have child see a doctor as soon as possible.

There is no medication over-the-counter to take care of scabies infestation.

Urgent Care Continue

Let's rule out possible Psoriasis.

Continue

Are the affected areas dry and covered with silvery, flaky skin like scales?

Yes No

Yes?
Probably looking at psoriasis going on.

Continue

Is this area of skin thick and raised from the skin surface?

Yes No

Yes?
This is one sign of psoriasis.

Continue

Does your child experience dandruff pretty bad?

Yes No

Yes?
People with psoriasis sometimes experience severe dandruff.

Continue

We just went through the signs of psoriasis briefly.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin irritation. With psoriasis, your child may experience thick, raised, red to pink skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales.

If you think your child is looking at psoriasis or have a family history of psoriasis, have child see a pediatrician for a more detailed evaluation.

Urgent Care Continue