Causes of Widespread Rash or Redness

• Viral Rash. Most rashes are part of an illness. You may also have a fever, cold symptoms or loose stool. It may cause small pink spots on the chest, stomach and back. Often lasts 2 or 3 days. More common in the summer months.
• Toxic Shock Syndrome (serious). Can happen to anyone. Caused by a skin infection from a wound. Can also occur with tampon use in women. It looks like a sunburn. Found mostly on the palms (hands) and bottom of the feet. Other symptoms are sudden high fever, feeling ill, dizzy, confused, headache, muscle pain, and even seizures. Contact your doctor right away if you have these symptoms.
• Chickenpox is a viral rash with a distinct pattern. More common in kids, but can also happen in adults.
• Shingles. Painful rash that looks like a stripe or band of blisters. Happens to adults who had chickenpox in the past.
• Measles. The measles virus is becoming more common among young children who do not get the routine childhood vaccinations including the MMR (mumps, measles, rubella) shot. Symptoms include fever, red eyes, runny nose, cough, and spots on the inside cheeks. A red blotchy rash appears around day 3 of the illness, first on the face and then on other areas.
• Mpox (Monkeypox) is a rare viral rash that often starts on the face or genital area. It then spreads to the arms and legs. Not usually seen in children unless someone in the home has mpox.
• Scarlet Fever. Spotted, red rash all over the body. More common in kids, but can happen in adults. Starts on upper chest and quickly spreads to lower chest and stomach.
• Drug Rash. Most rashes that start while taking medicine are viral rashes. Rashes from an allergy to meds are not common, but can happen (see more in Drugs and Rashes section below).
• Hives. Raised pink bumps with light centers. They look like mosquito bites and may itch. Most hives are caused by a virus, but can be also from an allergy (see Hives care guide).
• Poison Ivy Rash. Caused by contact with oils from the poison ivy plant. Rash may be localized or widespread (see the Poison Ivy care guide).
• Heat Rash. Pink rash caused from too much heat. Mostly seen on the neck, chest and upper back.
• Insect Bites. One or more small red bumps. Flying insects can cause many bumps on exposed skin. Non-flying insects are more likely to cause localized bumps.
• Hot Tub Rash. Small red bumps that hurt and itch. Mainly occurs on the areas of skin covered by a bathing suit. Rash starts 12 to 48 hours after being in a hot tub. Caused by overgrowth of bacteria in hot tubs.
• Eczema. Patches of pink or red skin. Can be small or widespread (see Eczema care guide).
• Psoriasis. Patches of dry, raised and scaly skin. Caused by an immune system issue. Skin cells are replaced more quickly than usual. Often occurs on knees, elbows and scalp.
• Vitiligo. Spots on the skin that have lost color (pigmentation) and appear white. Cause is not clear, but can be from health problems, stress or wounds.
• Petechiae Rash (serious). Tiny purple or dark red dots that don't fade when pressed. Caused by bleeding into the skin. Petechiae with a fever can be symptoms of a deadly infection of the blood. The same rash can occur due to a blood clotting problem (low platelets) or a blood cancer. Seek help right away.
• Purpura Rash (serious). Large purple or dark red spots caused by bleeding in the skin. May look like patches of bruises. Widespread purpura is always an emergency. Seek help right away.
• Blister Rash (serious). Widespread blisters on the skin. Caused by infections or drugs. Seek help right away.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI). Spread through contact during sex with a person who has an STI. Can have many different symptoms, such as:
  • Widespread rash with or without fever
  • Discharge leaking from the vagina or penis
  • Pain in the abdomen.
  • Note: all widespread rashes with fever need to be seen by a doctor.

Drugs and Rashes

• Prescription meds sometimes cause widespread rashes. Some are from an allergy, but most are not.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) meds rarely cause rashes. They should still be thought of as a possible cause.
• Most rashes that happen while taking an over-the-counter med are viral rashes.
• Drug rashes cannot be diagnosed over the phone.

Localized Versus Widespread Rash: How to Decide

• Localized means the rash is seen on one small part of the body. An example would be on one foot. Often, the rash is just on one side of the body. Bug bites do not follow this rule.
• Widespread means the rash can be seen on large parts of the body. Examples are both legs or the whole back. Widespread can also mean on most of the body. Widespread rashes always happen on both sides of the body. Many viral rashes are widespread.

When to Call for Rash - Widespread

Care Advice

What You Should Know about Widespread Rashes:

• Most rashes with small pink spots all over are part of a viral illness.
• This is more likely if you have a fever. Other symptoms (like diarrhea) also point to a viral rash.
• Here is some care advice that should help until you talk with your doctor.

Non-Itchy Rash Treatment:

• If you suspect a heat rash, take a cool bath.
• Otherwise, no treatment is needed.

Itchy Rash Treatment:

• Wash the skin once with soap to remove any irritants.
• Steroid Cream. For relief of itching, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). Put it on the most itchy areas. No prescription is needed. Do this 3 times per day.
• Cool Bath. For flare-ups of itching, take a cool bath. Do not use soap. Do this for 10 minutes. Caution: avoid any chill. Option: you can add 2 ounces (60 grams) of baking soda per tub of water.
• Avoid Scratching. Cut the fingernails short. Reason: prevents further damage to the skin and a skin infection from bacteria.
• Allergy Medicine for Itching. If itching becomes severe, take an allergy med, such as Benadryl. No prescription is needed. If needed longer than a few days, switch to a long-acting antihistamine, such as Zyrtec.

Fever Medicine:

• For fever, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
• Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil).
• Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
• If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.

Return to Work or Other Activities:

• Most viral rashes can be spread to others (even more likely if a fever is present).
• If you have a fever, avoid contact with others. Also, avoid pregnant women until a diagnosis is made.
• For minor rashes, you can return to work after the fever is gone.
• For major rashes, you can return to work after the rash is gone. If your doctor has given medical clearance, you can return sooner.

What to Expect:

• Most viral rashes go away within 48 hours.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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