Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Does It Mean?AppearanceBlanching vs. Non-Blanching
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Table of Contents
What Does It Mean?
Appearance
Blanching vs. Non-Blanching
A blanching rash is a rash that turns the color of your skin when you press it. This is opposed to a non-blanching rash or one that stays red or colored even when you apply pressure. In general, a blanching rash is more common and less serious than a non-blanching rash. Meningitis rashes and sepsis rashes are examples of non-blanching rashes. However, some blanching rashes can still be serious, including hives.Blanching skincan also indicate poor circulation.
Continue reading to learn more about blanching rashes, including when to see a doctor for a rash.
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Does a Blanching Rash Mean Anything?
A blanching rash is a rash that turns temporarily white or the color of your skin when you press on it. On darker skin tones, the rash may not turn white, but areas of redness, purpleness, and discoloration will disappear when you apply pressure.
To determine whether you have a blanching rash, lightly press on a red or purple area. If it turns lighter briefly, it’s a blanching rash. You can also use a clear glass cup to press lightly on your skin or your child’s skin. If the skin beneath the glass is light and no longer discolored, they may have a blanching rash.
Although blanching rashes are generally less serious than non-blanching rashes, they can still result from serious conditions, such ashives. When in doubt, seek emergency medical attention whether or not your rash is blanching.
A Word From VerywellA rash that persists despite over-the-counter treatment, is painful, causes blistering, is widespread, or associated with symptoms, like fever, headache, difficulty breathing or lethargy, should be addressed right away.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
A rash that persists despite over-the-counter treatment, is painful, causes blistering, is widespread, or associated with symptoms, like fever, headache, difficulty breathing or lethargy, should be addressed right away.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A rash that persists despite over-the-counter treatment, is painful, causes blistering, is widespread, or associated with symptoms, like fever, headache, difficulty breathing or lethargy, should be addressed right away.
—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Circulation Signs
Poor circulation and conditions likefrostbitecan also cause blanching skin. This blanching is generally more distinct and long-lasting than a typical blanching rash. Blanching skin resulting from circulation issues often includes other symptoms, such as:
Blanching Rash Examples
Associated Conditions
Blanching rashes can result from a variety of conditions, including:
Comparison With Non-Blanching Rash
Though blanching rashes can sometimes be serious, non-blanching rashes (which do not turn the color of your skin when pressed) are associated with serious conditions, including:
These rashes often appear liketiny pinpricks on the skin, which are not itchy.
If you or your child has a fever and a non-blanching rash, you should immediately see a healthcare provider.Non-blanching rashes can have less serious causes, likeheat rashorchickenpox, but it’s important to get a thorough healthcare evaluation.
What a Blanching Rash Looks Like
A blanching rash may look red, purple, puffy, or inflamed, depending on the root cause of the rash. What makes it a blanching rash is that the area with the rash turns white or skin-colored when you apply pressure to it.
Blanching rashes can be a number of different types ofskin rashesand have various characteristics. For example:
Blanching Rash Treatment
The treatment for a blanching rash will depend on the underlying cause of the rash. For example, hives could be treated with an antihistamine or anti-itch cream. Psoriasis or eczema may require prescription medication and lifestyle changes. If you have a blanching rash that doesn’t resolve on its own within a few days, reach out to your healthcare provider for advice.
Untreated Blanching Rash Complications
Oftentimes, skin rashes resolve on their own. However, if you notice any other serious symptoms, like fever, swelling around the mouth or face, or changes in cognition, see a doctor immediately.
Understanding Blanching vs. Non-Blanching Rash Severity
Non-blanching rashes are associated with serious medical conditions (such as meningitis) that require immediate medical attention.
Knowing whether a rash is blanching or non-blanching is helpful information when you’re evaluating an illness, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. When in doubt, always reach out to your doctor.
Summary
A blanching rash is a rash that turns white or the color of your skin when you apply pressure to it. A blanching rash is usually not serious, especially when compared to a non-blanching rash, which remains discolored when you apply pressure. However, hives are a type of blanching rash that can be serious, especially if they’re associated with other symptoms like changes in breathing. When in doubt, reach out to your healthcare provider to discuss your blanching rash.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Children’s Health Queensland.Rashes in children.Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(Suppl 2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-zDi Meglio P, Villanova F, Nestle FO.Psoriasis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2014. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a015354.Rady Children’s Hospital.Eczema clinical features.Nemours KidsHealth.Chickenpox.Harvard Health Publishing.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.Meningitis Research Foundation.What is the meningitis rash?Pflipsen MC, Vega Colon KM.Anaphylaxis: recognition and management.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(6):355-362.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Children’s Health Queensland.Rashes in children.Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(Suppl 2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-zDi Meglio P, Villanova F, Nestle FO.Psoriasis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2014. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a015354.Rady Children’s Hospital.Eczema clinical features.Nemours KidsHealth.Chickenpox.Harvard Health Publishing.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.Meningitis Research Foundation.What is the meningitis rash?Pflipsen MC, Vega Colon KM.Anaphylaxis: recognition and management.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(6):355-362.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Children’s Health Queensland.Rashes in children.Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(Suppl 2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-zDi Meglio P, Villanova F, Nestle FO.Psoriasis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2014. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a015354.Rady Children’s Hospital.Eczema clinical features.Nemours KidsHealth.Chickenpox.Harvard Health Publishing.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.Meningitis Research Foundation.What is the meningitis rash?Pflipsen MC, Vega Colon KM.Anaphylaxis: recognition and management.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(6):355-362.
Children’s Health Queensland.Rashes in children.
Kanani A, Betschel SD, Warrington R.Urticaria and angioedema.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.2018;14(Suppl 2):59. doi:10.1186/s13223-018-0288-z
Di Meglio P, Villanova F, Nestle FO.Psoriasis. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2014. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a015354.
Rady Children’s Hospital.Eczema clinical features.
Nemours KidsHealth.Chickenpox.
Harvard Health Publishing.Heat rash: how to spot it and what to do.
Meningitis Research Foundation.What is the meningitis rash?
Pflipsen MC, Vega Colon KM.Anaphylaxis: recognition and management.Am Fam Physician. 2020;102(6):355-362.
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