By Hannah LIM, intern

Concerns have been on the rise from parents who worry if their child’s rash can potentially grow into a major health concern. It becomes essential to identify, treat, understand and differentiate each issue before taking action. 

One of these commonly discussed concerns is roseola. Roseola is a herpes family virus, a group of viruses that cause infections in humans and animals. It commonly affects little children under 2 years of age and can be transmitted through contact with a person with roseola through “respiratory droplets,” or saliva, kissing, coughing, sneezing, sharing utensils or cups, and even touching the same surface. This virus can then take from five to 15 days after exposure to start showing signs. 

John G. Rodarte, a medical doctor at Huntington Health who primarily specializes in pediatrics, shared that the key sign that a child may have caught roseola is if s/he has a high fever and later has a visible red rash. 

“The hallmark is a fever (often relatively high of 102-103 degrees) for several days,” he said. “Once the fever stops, the child then breaks out in a fine red rash starting on the torso and spreading outward to much of the body, then disappearing in a few days. The rash is generally not itchy or painful.” 

How can this virus be treated? Dr. Rodarte added, “Being a virus, no special treatment is necessary except maybe fever control with ibuprofen [Motrin/Advil] or acetaminophen [Tylenol].” He confirmed that the virus will go away on its own. 

Another virus that is commonly confused with roseola is measles. Measles is a contagious virus that can affect both children and adults. 

Dr. Rodarte talked about the symptoms he said can be identified through “the three Cs: cough, coryza [runny nose] and conjunctivitis [pink eye], along with a mild-to-moderate fever and sore throat.”

This virus can be transmitted through various ways including being in the proximity of infected people, touching the same surface, breathing in their cough, sneezing, etc. Measles will then start 10 to 14 days after exposure. 

Dr. Rodarte then explained that after two to three days, a blotchy red rash appears on the face and makes its way down the body to the arms, chest, back and thighs. This rash can last seven days. 

He added, “At this time the fever goes higher, up to 104.” 

He also explained, “Measles can have very bad complications, such as pneumonia, encephalitis [inflammation of the brain] or even death.”

However, since measles is a virus there is no direct treatment though symptoms can be treated. 

If complications occur, patients can be potentially hospitalized. 

Dr. Rodarte suggested, “The best way to prevent measles infection is to be vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine. A single dose gives about 93% protection and two doses [provides] 97-98% protection.” 

If a child is starting to show signs of dehydration, respiratory distress, extreme lethargy and is becoming difficult to arouse, seek professional medical help. 

But what if the rash isn’t either roseola or measles? Another condition that can affect the skin during childhood is eczema. 

Dr. Rodarte summarized that eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes excessively dry and itchy, often appearing in patches. Eczema is usually found around the elbows, knees, ankles and cheeks. But, it can also appear elsewhere on the body. 

“There is no known cause for eczema, although experts believe there are both genetic as well as stress or environmental factors,” Dr. Rodarte said. “Eczema can start at any time of life, although it is commonly first seen in childhood. It will often persist into adulthood, but sometimes to a lesser degree.”

So, can eczema be treated? It can – to some extent. Usually the main form of treatment is to frequently use moisturizer on the dry skin. But steroid creams that contain specific medication that targets eczema can also be prescribed. 

To know if a child has eczema, a diagnosis can be done by that child’s pediatrician. If the eczema is severe, seeing a dermatologist is highly recommended. 

Dr. Rodarte said that eczema is not a virus, it tends to be very itchy and is not accompanied by a fever. Measles and roseola are both viruses that include a fever during the illness. The children will also look visibly ill. Measles and roseola rashes are contained and usually not itchy.