Infectious rashes may be due to bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Common viral rashes include mononucleosis, chickenpox, and shingles. In this article, we look at common types of viral rash in adults and children.
We also provide advice on how to identify them and when to see a doctor. The appearance of viral skin rashes can vary. They may appear in the form of welts, red blotches, or small bumps, and they might develop only on one part of the body or become widespread. The duration of the rash also varies considerably depending on the type of virus that is responsible for it.
A wide variety of viruses cause viral rashes. While many viral infections affect people of all ages, some are more common in children and babies, and others primarily occur in adults.
The rash is more prevalent among individuals taking certain antibiotics. Chickenpox can occur in adults and children, but it is more common in children. The varicella-zoster virus causes this illness. The incidence of chickenpox has markedly decreased since the release of the varicella vaccine in However, the infection can spread quickly among people who have not received the vaccine.
The rash often first appears on the chest and then spreads to other areas of the body. The rash pattern changes as the illness progresses. It starts with small fluid filled vesicles that look like blisters, but after a few days, the blisters begin to pop, crust, and scab as they heal.
Shingles occurs most often in adults. The reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, leads to the development of this rash. After a person has had chickenpox, the virus remains in certain nerve cells in their body. Although the virus often stays dormant forever, in some instances, it reactivates and leads to shingles.
Shingles involves a red, painful blistering rash that can develop anywhere on the body. Another common type of skin rash is caused by allergic reactions. Allergic reactions leading to skin rashes may be caused by the ingestion or injection of drugs such as penicillin or other medications or may even be due to reactions to certain ingested foods. Common food allergies are caused by eating nuts, eggs, and milk products, but when it comes to food allergies and individuals, any food may cause an allergic reaction and skin rash.
Also, as individuals age, the body changes and foods that previously caused no skin rash and allergy may begin to cause problems. Common rashes are also caused by bacteria such as the strep bacteria. If you have strep throat, often a body rash accompanies the condition. Viruses causing skin rashes are also very common. Chicken pox or shingles are examples of common types of viral skin rashes. Other viruses that may cause conditions such as the flu can also produce common rashes of various types on the skin.
Heat is often the reason why a rash occurs. At birth, a baby has an undeveloped or immature immune system. In the first few years of life, catching viruses is the best way for your child to build a strong and healthy immunity which ultimately sets them up for life. Your child may catch some or all of these viruses before they start school:. Roseola is a member of the herpes virus family. Much like cold sores and chicken pox, once roseola is contracted it lays dormant in the body for life.
Roseola affects children in the first few years of life, typically between six to 18 months of age. Symptoms: Roseola is defined by four days of fever and a pink rash that is visible on or shortly after day four. The rash is raised or flat and covers most of the body. It can be very contagious but does not typically cause serious illness.
You can get hand, foot, and mouth disease by coming into contact with the bodily fluids of a person who has the virus. This includes:. Like its name suggests, the rash associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease often occurs on those parts of the body. People with the virus can develop painful sores on the back of the mouth and a rash on their skin. This rash can look like flat, red to purple spots or liquid-filled blisters. While it often appears on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, it can show up on other parts of the body as well.
Per the CDC , this might include the:. Fifth disease is a viral illness that can cause a red rash on the cheeks or limbs. It is also known as slapped cheek disease. This virus spreads through bodily fluids, such as the respiratory particles in saliva and mucus, when a person with the virus coughs or sneezes.
It can also be passed during pregnancy to an unborn child and by blood. The rash caused by fifth disease more commonly appears in children, per the CDC. It may be itchy or go through periods of itchiness. Some people may develop a second rash on another part of the body a few days later. Roseola, also known as sixth disease, is a contagious illness that typically affects children 6 months to 2 years old.
The virus enters the body through the nose and mouth from the respiratory droplets of a person with the virus. Children with roseola often experience a rash after symptoms of high fever and mild respiratory illness. The rash caused by roseola tends to first appear on the trunk of the body before spreading to the arms and legs.
When touched, the spots may become lighter in color, a sign that the small capillaries are dilated. On darker skin, this may be harder to see. The West Nile virus is caused by the bite of an infected mosquito.
It can affect people of all ages. But 1 in 5 people may develop a fever that occurs with other symptoms, including a rash. The West Nile virus can cause a maculopapular rash , with both flat discolored spots and raised bumps. It tends to appear on the trunk and limbs 5 days after other symptoms, such as fever and fatigue, begin. Some people with the West Nile virus develop a serious and sometimes fatal illness that affects the central nervous system.
Severe symptoms may include:. The Zika virus is mostly spread by Aedes mosquitos that have the virus. A person who contracts the virus while pregnant can also pass the virus to their child, which may cause birth defects.
The Zika virus rash often appears as red spots and blotches that start on the face. It then spreads to the torso and limbs, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. According to a study , itchiness also tends to occur with an infection. Dengue fever is a disease transmitted by an infected mosquito.
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