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What Causes Red Rashes On Face And Knees In Infants?
Question: My 6 month old son gets red rashes on his face, and sometimes behind his knees. They come out for no apparent reason and take about 4-5 days to completely disappear. I can tell they're itchy, because he often scratches them. We apply topical cream, which somewhat helps until the next breakout of rashes.
Brief Answer:
A number of causes possible. Thorough evaluation required.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the images as well as the details and have the following questions to ask:
* When and how did it start?
* When did the rash start?
* Where did the rash start?
* Where has the rash spread to?
* Associated symptoms (like fever)
* Any travel history
* Any ongoing medications
The probable causes are:
* Measles
– Begins in head and neck and spreads centrifugally to trunk and exrtremities
– Associated symptoms: fever, cough, coryza and conjunctivitis
* Rubella
– Rash resembles measles, but patient is not ill looking
* Roseola infantum or exanthema subitum
– Usually associated with high fever
* Ebstein Barr Virus infection
* Neisseria
* Topical eosinophilia
* Kawasaki Vasculitis
– Usually assocated with red eyes, Injected pharynx or “strawberry tongue”
The child needs to be examined and investigated carefully and I would strongly suggest you to visit a dermatologist and to get the child evaluated. Treatment will depend upon the cause.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
A number of causes possible. Thorough evaluation required.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the images as well as the details and have the following questions to ask:
* When and how did it start?
* When did the rash start?
* Where did the rash start?
* Where has the rash spread to?
* Associated symptoms (like fever)
* Any travel history
* Any ongoing medications
The probable causes are:
* Measles
– Begins in head and neck and spreads centrifugally to trunk and exrtremities
– Associated symptoms: fever, cough, coryza and conjunctivitis
* Rubella
– Rash resembles measles, but patient is not ill looking
* Roseola infantum or exanthema subitum
– Usually associated with high fever
* Ebstein Barr Virus infection
* Neisseria
* Topical eosinophilia
* Kawasaki Vasculitis
– Usually assocated with red eyes, Injected pharynx or “strawberry tongue”
The child needs to be examined and investigated carefully and I would strongly suggest you to visit a dermatologist and to get the child evaluated. Treatment will depend upon the cause.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
* When and how did it start?
This started around the time he was 4 months old, i.e. 2.5 months ago.
* When did the rash start?
Rashes come and go. This particular one began about 2 days ago, with his cheeks getting red and him scratching them a lot. In time, this morning it was very red (see image) and kind of scabby.
* Where did the rash start?
It's always on the face, the cheeks particularly. It does not seem to spread down to the neck or body.
* Where has the rash spread to?
It hasn't.
* Associated symptoms (like fever)
None. Just itchy.
* Any travel history
None.
* Any ongoing medications
None.
This started around the time he was 4 months old, i.e. 2.5 months ago.
* When did the rash start?
Rashes come and go. This particular one began about 2 days ago, with his cheeks getting red and him scratching them a lot. In time, this morning it was very red (see image) and kind of scabby.
* Where did the rash start?
It's always on the face, the cheeks particularly. It does not seem to spread down to the neck or body.
* Where has the rash spread to?
It hasn't.
* Associated symptoms (like fever)
None. Just itchy.
* Any travel history
None.
* Any ongoing medications
None.
Brief Answer:
List shortened but still clinical evaluation and correlation necessary
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
I have checked the details. Based on that, I feel the likelihood of:
* Atopic dermatitis
* Topical eosinophilia
* Epstein Barr Virus Infection
* Roseola infantum or exanthema subitum
As a first step of investigation, I would suggest you to get a total and differential WBC count done. If the eosinophil count is raised, the diagnosis is more likely to be in the favor of the former two. In any case, I would insist you to get the child evaluated by a dermatologist.
Application of calamine lotion and giving him cetirizine syrup should be helpful.
Regards
List shortened but still clinical evaluation and correlation necessary
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
I have checked the details. Based on that, I feel the likelihood of:
* Atopic dermatitis
* Topical eosinophilia
* Epstein Barr Virus Infection
* Roseola infantum or exanthema subitum
As a first step of investigation, I would suggest you to get a total and differential WBC count done. If the eosinophil count is raised, the diagnosis is more likely to be in the favor of the former two. In any case, I would insist you to get the child evaluated by a dermatologist.
Application of calamine lotion and giving him cetirizine syrup should be helpful.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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