Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDescriptionLink Between Viral Infection and RashAt-Home TreatmentMinimizing ContagiousnessWhen to Consult a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Description
Link Between Viral Infection and Rash
At-Home Treatment
Minimizing Contagiousness
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
Continue reading to learn more about viral exanthem rash, post-viral rash in adults, and viral rash in toddlers. The article will also answer the question, “Is a viral rash contagious?” and cover viral exanthem treatments.
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Describing a Viral Widespread Rash
Viral rashesare most common in young children ages 1–6, although anyone can develop a viral rash. The rash can develop anywhere but is most common on the face, torso, arms, and legs.The symptoms of a viral rash can vary widely but include:
Your healthcare provider may ask you where the rash first appeared since this can help them identify the virus that’s causing the rash. Take note of whether the rash first appeared on the face, trunk, or extremities and how it spread.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
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.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet dermnetnz.org 2023
There are three primary causes of viral rashes:
Any viral illness can cause a viral exanthem rash, but they most commonly occur with the following conditions:
In addition,COVID-19 and long COVID-19 can cause rashes. Very common illnesses that don’t typically cause rashes, including a cold or flu.Your healthcare provider may not know what specific illness is causing a rash.
How to Treat Viral Rashes at Home
Mostviral rashes are nothing to worry aboutand do not require special treatment. They’ll resolve on their own as the viral infection wanes.If the rash is itchy, talk with your healthcare provider about at-home treatments that can help, including cold compresses and creams.
Vaccinations to Prevent Viral RashVaccinations can prevent illnesses like measles, rubella, and chickenpox, which commonly cause viral rashes.
Vaccinations to Prevent Viral Rash
Vaccinations can prevent illnesses like measles, rubella, and chickenpox, which commonly cause viral rashes.
Minimizing Viral Contagiousness
Many of the conditions that cause viral rashes are highly contagious. However, the rash itself isn’t contagious and doesn’t spread disease. Rather, these viral illnesses are often spread through close contact.
To reduce contagiousness, follow these guidelines toreduce your risk of viral illness:
Talk with your healthcare provider about how long a person is infectious. In some cases, viral rashes outlast the infectious period, so your child may be able to return to school or daycare even if they still have a rash.
In most cases, viral rashes don’t need treatment and will resolve on their own. In fact, viral illnesses often have no treatments, although some—like flu and COVID—have treatments available to certain populations.
If you or your child is quite sick and experiencing a viral rash, there’s never harm in reaching out to a healthcare provider for guidance. A healthcare provider may be able to help diagnose the root cause of your rash based on its appearance and where it originated.
Alwayssee a healthcare provider or seek emergency careif you or a loved one experience:
You should also call a healthcare provider if your rash and accompanying symptoms don’t resolve within a week or if you start feeling better and suddenly start feeling worse again.
Summary
It’s common for viral infections to cause rashes, particularly in children. This can happen with viral illnesses that are closely associated with rashes—like chicken pox and measles—and infections that aren’t closely associated with rash, including flu, COVID-19, and colds. In most cases, viral rashes, medically called viral exanthems, don’t need treatment. However, if you’re concerned, reach out to your healthcare provider or your child’s pediatrician for guidance.
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.KidsHealth.Viral exanthem.Children’s Wisconsin.Viral rash (exanthem).Primary Care Dermatology Society.Viral exanthems.Cleveland Clinic.Viral exanthem rash.Children’s National.Viral exanthem (rashes).MedlinePlus.Germs and hygiene.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your guide to masks.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding how vaccines work.
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.KidsHealth.Viral exanthem.Children’s Wisconsin.Viral rash (exanthem).Primary Care Dermatology Society.Viral exanthems.Cleveland Clinic.Viral exanthem rash.Children’s National.Viral exanthem (rashes).MedlinePlus.Germs and hygiene.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your guide to masks.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding how vaccines work.
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.
KidsHealth.Viral exanthem.Children’s Wisconsin.Viral rash (exanthem).Primary Care Dermatology Society.Viral exanthems.Cleveland Clinic.Viral exanthem rash.Children’s National.Viral exanthem (rashes).MedlinePlus.Germs and hygiene.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your guide to masks.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding how vaccines work.
KidsHealth.Viral exanthem.
Children’s Wisconsin.Viral rash (exanthem).
Primary Care Dermatology Society.Viral exanthems.
Cleveland Clinic.Viral exanthem rash.
Children’s National.Viral exanthem (rashes).
MedlinePlus.Germs and hygiene.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Your guide to masks.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Understanding how vaccines work.
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