Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceRashTreatmentSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Rash
Treatment
Seeking Medical Care
In rare cases, when a rash does develop, it will appear as red or purple splotches on the skin, depending on your skin color. The rash appears red in lighter skin tones and purple in darker skin tones. Other types of viral infections can also present with rashes.
This article discusses ways to identify a flu rash, what causes it to develop, and the available treatment options.
Guido Mieth / Getty Images
How a Flu Rash Looks
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPhoto Credit: U.S. National Library of Medicine
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
When a flu rash develops, it typically does so on the face and torso. That said, it can also spread to the extremities in some cases.Types of rashesassociated with the flu and how they appear include:
Arash alone does not indicate the flu, but it can accompany classicsymptoms of the flu, which are:
Could Rash Be From the Flu or Something Else?Many other illnesses can cause a rash to develop, including:MeaslesChickenpoxRubellaSkin conditions such aseczemaandpsoriasisImpetigoShinglesLupusRheumatoid arthritisKawasaki disease
Could Rash Be From the Flu or Something Else?
Many other illnesses can cause a rash to develop, including:MeaslesChickenpoxRubellaSkin conditions such aseczemaandpsoriasisImpetigoShinglesLupusRheumatoid arthritisKawasaki disease
Many other illnesses can cause a rash to develop, including:
Flu-Like Symptoms and Their Causes
Why Rash Is a Secondary Flu Symptom
Rashes are secondary flu symptoms because they are uncommon and not typically correlated with flu infections. That said, there is a connection between rashes andflu vaccinations, even though developing a rash after a flu shot is rare.
When a flu shot causes a rash, it typically develops around the site where the needle was injected into the skin.In rare cases, anallergic reaction to the flushot can lead to a rash.
Flu Vaccine Allergic Reaction SymptomsA severe allergic reaction to a flu shot may also cause other symptoms to develop, such as:Difficulty breathingHoarseness or wheezingSwelling around the lips or eyesPale skinWeaknessFeeling dizzyIncreased heart rate
Flu Vaccine Allergic Reaction Symptoms
A severe allergic reaction to a flu shot may also cause other symptoms to develop, such as:Difficulty breathingHoarseness or wheezingSwelling around the lips or eyesPale skinWeaknessFeeling dizzyIncreased heart rate
A severe allergic reaction to a flu shot may also cause other symptoms to develop, such as:
Allergic Reactions to the Flu Shot
Treatment for a Flu-Related Rash
Flu-related rashes can clear up on their own once the virus has run its course. The primary flu treatment of rest and fluids is typically suggested for all symptoms, including rash. That said, people with more severe cases of the flu may have to take antiviral medications to help the body get rid of the virus, which will also clears the rash.
Getting Treatment EarlyAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting antiviral treatment within the first few days of illness is the best way to knock out the infection faster and avoid complications, such as pneumonia.
Getting Treatment Early
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting antiviral treatment within the first few days of illness is the best way to knock out the infection faster and avoid complications, such as pneumonia.
How Long Does the Flu Last?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have flu symptoms along with a rash, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to determine the extent of your illness and get a proper diagnosis. Since rashes can develop due to many health conditions and diseases, knowing what is causing yours is essential.
You should also see a healthcare provider if you experience severe flu symptoms or fall into a high-risk category and are more likely to have flu complications. People with the following health conditions fall into this group:
Summary
The flu is a common illness that can cause various symptoms, including cough, chills, fever, and sweats. In some rarer cases, people with the flu may also develop a rash. The rash may present differently in different people, and it is more common in children with the flu than in adults.
Since the flu is a viral infection, treatment often involves resting and drinking lots of fluids, such as water, tea, or clear broth. There is no specific treatment for a flu rash. As someone gets better from the flu, their symptoms, including the rash, will disappear.
If you experience other flu symptoms alongside a rash or severe flu symptoms, you must see your healthcare provider. They can ensure that you are treated appropriately and do not develop complications.
9 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.Fretzayas A, Moustaki M, Kotzia D, Nicolaidou P.Rash, an uncommon but existing feature of H1N1 influenza among children.Influenza Other Respir Viruses.2011 Jul;5(4):223-4. doi:10.1111/j.1750-2659.2011.00197.xArizona Department of Health Services.Is it influenza or could it be measles?Skowronski DM, Chambers C, Osei W, Walker J, Petric M, Naus M, Li Y, Krajden M.Case series of rash associated with influenza B in school children.Influenza Other Respir Viruses.2015 Jan;9(1):32-7. doi:10.1111/irv.12296Gaitonde DY, Moore FC, Morgan MK.Influenza: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019 Dec 15;100(12):751-758.Penn Medicine.Rash.National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.Injection site reactions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu vaccine and people with egg allergies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu vaccine safety information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu treatment: What you need to know.
9 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.Fretzayas A, Moustaki M, Kotzia D, Nicolaidou P.Rash, an uncommon but existing feature of H1N1 influenza among children.Influenza Other Respir Viruses.2011 Jul;5(4):223-4. doi:10.1111/j.1750-2659.2011.00197.xArizona Department of Health Services.Is it influenza or could it be measles?Skowronski DM, Chambers C, Osei W, Walker J, Petric M, Naus M, Li Y, Krajden M.Case series of rash associated with influenza B in school children.Influenza Other Respir Viruses.2015 Jan;9(1):32-7. doi:10.1111/irv.12296Gaitonde DY, Moore FC, Morgan MK.Influenza: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019 Dec 15;100(12):751-758.Penn Medicine.Rash.National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.Injection site reactions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu vaccine and people with egg allergies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu vaccine safety information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu treatment: What you need to know.
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.
Fretzayas A, Moustaki M, Kotzia D, Nicolaidou P.Rash, an uncommon but existing feature of H1N1 influenza among children.Influenza Other Respir Viruses.2011 Jul;5(4):223-4. doi:10.1111/j.1750-2659.2011.00197.xArizona Department of Health Services.Is it influenza or could it be measles?Skowronski DM, Chambers C, Osei W, Walker J, Petric M, Naus M, Li Y, Krajden M.Case series of rash associated with influenza B in school children.Influenza Other Respir Viruses.2015 Jan;9(1):32-7. doi:10.1111/irv.12296Gaitonde DY, Moore FC, Morgan MK.Influenza: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019 Dec 15;100(12):751-758.Penn Medicine.Rash.National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.Injection site reactions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu vaccine and people with egg allergies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu vaccine safety information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu treatment: What you need to know.
Fretzayas A, Moustaki M, Kotzia D, Nicolaidou P.Rash, an uncommon but existing feature of H1N1 influenza among children.Influenza Other Respir Viruses.2011 Jul;5(4):223-4. doi:10.1111/j.1750-2659.2011.00197.x
Arizona Department of Health Services.Is it influenza or could it be measles?
Skowronski DM, Chambers C, Osei W, Walker J, Petric M, Naus M, Li Y, Krajden M.Case series of rash associated with influenza B in school children.Influenza Other Respir Viruses.2015 Jan;9(1):32-7. doi:10.1111/irv.12296
Gaitonde DY, Moore FC, Morgan MK.Influenza: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2019 Dec 15;100(12):751-758.
Penn Medicine.Rash.
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.Injection site reactions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu vaccine and people with egg allergies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu vaccine safety information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu treatment: What you need to know.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
