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• If NOT, try one of these: Rash or Redness – Widespread

Is this your child’s symptom

• Roseola is a widespread fine pink rash that’s caused by a specific virus
• Classic feature is that the rash is preceded by 2 or 3 days of high fever
• The fever goes away before the rash starts
• A doctor has told you that your child probably has Roseola or
• Rash occurs after several days of fever, but fever gone now

Symptoms of Roseola

• Most children get Roseola between 6 months and 3 years of age.
• Rash: Pink, small, flat spots on the chest and stomach. Rash is the same on both sides of the body. Then spreads to the face.
• Classic feature: 2 or 3 days of high fever without a rash or other symptoms.
• The rash starts 12 to 24 hours after the fever goes away.
• The rash lasts 1 to 3 days.
• By the time the rash appears, the child feels fine.

Cause of Roseola

• Human herpes virus 6 HHV6

Viral Rashes and Drug Rashes

• Prescription drugs sometimes cause widespread rashes.
• Non-prescription OTC drugs rarely cause any rashes.
• Most rashes that occur while taking an OTC drug are viral rashes.
• Fever medicines acetaminophen and ibuprofen cause the most confusion. Reason: Most viral rashes start with a fever. Hence, the child is taking a fever med when the rash starts. But, the fever med had nothing to do with the rash.
• Drug rashes can’t be diagnosed over the phone.

Prevention

• Good hand washing can prevent spread of infection.

Call 911 Now

• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor Now or Go to ER

• Rash becomes purple or blood-colored
• Large blisters on skin
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Call Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Fever comes back
• Rash becomes worse
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Call Doctor During Office Hours

• Rash lasts more than 4 days
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Roseola rash

Care Advice for Roseola

1. What You Should Know About Roseola:
   • Most children get Roseola between 6 months and 3 years of age.
   • It’s the most common rash in this age group.
   • By the time they get the rash, the fever is gone. The child feels fine.
   • The rash is harmless and goes away on its own.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Treatment:
   • No treatment is needed.
   • Creams or medicines are not helpful.
3. Moisturizing Cream for Itch:
   • Roseola usually is not itchy. If your child’s rash is itchy, here are some tips.
   • Use a moisturizing cream such as Eucerin once or twice daily.
   • Apply the cream after a 5 or 10-minute bath. Reason: Water-soaked skin feels less itchy.
   • Avoid all soaps. Reason: Soaps, especially bubble bath, make the skin dry and itchy.
4. Fever Medicine:
   • For fevers above 102° F 39° C, give an acetaminophen product such as Tylenol.
   • Another choice is an ibuprofen product such as Advil.
   • Note: Fevers less than 102° F 39° C are important for fighting infections.
   • For all fevers: Keep your child well hydrated. Give lots of cold fluids.
   • Note: By the time the rash occurs, the fever should be gone. If your child has both, see Rash or Redness – Widespread care guide.
5. What to Expect:
   • Roseola rash goes away in 2-3 days.
   • Some children with Roseola just have 3 days of fever without a rash.
6. Return to Child Care:
   • Once the rash is gone, the disease is no longer contagious.
   • Your child can return to child care or school.
   • Children exposed to your child earlier may come down with Roseola in 9-10 days.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Fever comes back
   • Rash lasts more than 4 days
   • You think your child needs to be seen
   • Your child becomes worse

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

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Copyright 1994-2015 Barton D. Schmitt, MD. All rights reserved.