Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentDurationComplicationsOutlookPreventionNext in Zika GuideSymptoms of the Zika Virus
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Duration
Complications
Outlook
Prevention
Next in Zika Guide
Only about 1 in 5 people develop anyZika virus symptoms. The Zika rash, made up of small, red or purple bumps that often appear on the trunk, arms, legs, and face, is one of the most common symptoms.
Continue reading to learn more about Zika rash and mosquito bites with rash.
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What Does Zika Rash Look Like?
Zika rash consists of small red or purple dots. It usually first appears on the trunk, although in some people it starts on the face. It then spreads to the arms and legs, or elsewhere on the body.
Characteristics of the rash include:
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Zika Virus Symptoms
In many people, Zika virus is asymptomatic (without noticeable symptoms). In fact, only about 20% of people infected with the virus experience symptoms, which may or may not include the rash.
Other symptoms of Zika virus include:
What Causes a Zika Rash?
In addition to mosquito bites, Zika can be spread through:
How Is a Zika Rash Diagnosed?
Zika is diagnosed through a blood or urine test.If you believe you have Zika, you should reach out to your healthcare provider. You should also let them know if you have symptoms, including Zika rash or fever, after traveling to regions such as the tropics, where Zika is more common.
How to Treat a Zika Rash
There are no treatments for Zika virus or viral rash.Still, if you have Zika or believe you might, talk with your healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Although there’s no treatment for Zika rash, some home remedies foritchy skinmight help make you more comfortable, including:
How Long Does the Zika Virus Last?
The symptoms of Zika usually last from two to seven days.However, the rash can linger for a bit longer. A research review of 66 cases found that people usually have Zika rash for three to eleven days, with the average length being six days.
Possible Complications of Zika
Although Zika is a mild virus, it can lead to significant pregnancy complications. Research shows that about 5% of people who have contracted the Zika virus while pregnant have had a child with Zika-related complications.Those complications include:
In addition, in rare cases, Zika can causeGuillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that affects the nerves and can lead to paralysis.
What’s the Outlook for Someone With Zika Rash?
For most people, Zika rash is a minor concern that will clear up on its own within about a week. However, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant and have Zika rash, you should see your medical provider. Pregnant people who experience Zika will need additional monitoring to look for pregnancy complications.
How to Prevent Zika
While it’s never possible to eliminate all risks for a virus, these measures can help you avoid Zika rash:
Summary
Zika rash is a common symptom of Zika virus, an infection spread through mosquito bites and person-to-person transmission. Zika rash consists of small red or purple dots, which may be flat or raised. The rash is often itchy. In most people, Zika rash is mild and will resolve on its own within a week. However, Zika can cause serious complications in pregnant people.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant and have Zika rash, reach out to your healthcare provider, who will likely recommend extra monitoring to detect any Zika-related pregnancy complications.
7 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.Dobson JS, Levell NJ.Spotting Zika spots: Descriptive features of the rash used in 66 published cases. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2019. doi: 10.1111/ced.13733.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Zika virus overview.LaBeaud, Desire.Zika virus infection: An overview.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly and other birth defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Zika virus.World Health Organization.Zika virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Zika and pregnancy.
7 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.Dobson JS, Levell NJ.Spotting Zika spots: Descriptive features of the rash used in 66 published cases. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2019. doi: 10.1111/ced.13733.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Zika virus overview.LaBeaud, Desire.Zika virus infection: An overview.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly and other birth defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Zika virus.World Health Organization.Zika virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Zika and pregnancy.
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.
Dobson JS, Levell NJ.Spotting Zika spots: Descriptive features of the rash used in 66 published cases. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2019. doi: 10.1111/ced.13733.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Zika virus overview.LaBeaud, Desire.Zika virus infection: An overview.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly and other birth defects.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Zika virus.World Health Organization.Zika virus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Zika and pregnancy.
Dobson JS, Levell NJ.Spotting Zika spots: Descriptive features of the rash used in 66 published cases. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2019. doi: 10.1111/ced.13733.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Zika virus overview.
LaBeaud, Desire.Zika virus infection: An overview.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Microcephaly and other birth defects.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Zika virus.
World Health Organization.Zika virus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Zika and pregnancy.
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