How To Tell If Rashes Are More Than Just A Harmless Rash: Signs To Look Out For In Kids

When a child gets rashes randomly, it can be really frustrating to figure out where it is coming from. 

Since their skin can be quite sensitive, they could be getting rashes from the changing of laundry detergent, or the material from their new clothes they just grew into. 

We would investigate and try to eliminate these reasons from the list of why they might be sporting rashes. 

But if you have done everything you can to try and identify the root cause of their rashes and you’re still unable to determine it, one of the things that it might be, is the start of chickenpox¹. 

How to tell if your child’s rashes is chickenpox

Chickenpox is a common disease that affects children. The virus that causes chickenpox is known as varicella virus, the same virus that causes shingles. It is a contagious disease and can spread from person to person¹.

A person infected with this virus can experience fever and rash with blisters. It can spread through¹:

• Air when a person with chickenpox coughs or sneezes.
• By touching the fluid that comes out of the blister.

So if your child has recently been to the playground and in contact with other kids who might be carrying the virus, they might have caught the varicella virus. To determine if it might be chickenpox, parents should look out for these symptoms¹:

• Fever, feeling unwell and tired, five days before the rash appears.
• Small red spots that itch on the whole body. Usually the rash starts on the chest and back, then spreads to the face, head, both arms and legs.
• Within 24 hours, the rashes will look like water blisters (blisters), then burst, dry out and become crusty (4 -5 days).
• New spots will continue to appear for five days and take two weeks to disappear.

Usually, chickenpox infection results in lifelong immunity. However, the virus may hide and recur as shingles in adults and sometimes in children¹.

What should parents do if their child is infected with chickenpox?

If your child is experiencing symptoms, you should take your child to the doctor. Because children tend to scratch their blisters, they are at risk of complications arising from chickenpox such as a skin bacterial infection, which might require an antibiotic course². 

There are some ways that parents can help relieve their child’s discomfort. But we highly recommend getting a proper treatment plan from a doctor and do not administer any medication to your child without a doctor’s prescription.

Other than that, there are other things you can do:

#1. Make sure your child doesn’t scratch!

Scratching the rash can worsen the skin infection if your child has already caught the bacterial infection and it would leave scars². Try these tips to soothe your child’s itchy skin:

• Cold oatmeal bath (you can buy it at your local pharmacy). Dab or pat (do not rub) your skin dry.
• Apply calamine lotion on itchy spots.
• Try antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, to reduce itching².
• Wear loose cotton clothing to avoid skin irritation³.
• Cut their nails so they are not able to scratch and collect bacteria under the nails.
• Put gloves or mittens on them if possible².

#2. Stay in a cool area as much as possible

Heat and sweat might further agitate your child’s rash. Try to keep them in a cool area, turn on the fan so there is sufficient air circulation. And use a cool, damp cloth to dab on very itchy areas to soothe their skin and make sure to dry it properly later so it doesn’t become a breeding ground for more bacteria to grow^3,4.

#3. Give them plenty of fluids

Do make sure your child gets plenty of fluids to prevent them from becoming dehydrated³.

Try to give them water over sugary drinks, especially if they already have chickenpox rashes near the mouth. Avoid giving them acidic or salty foods that can make their mouth sore³.

Ways to help prevent infection, and/or to stop the infection from getting worse

Of course, we hope for our children never to have to suffer through chickenpox. And thankfully, there is a way we can try to avoid them getting chickenpox, one of which is to get them vaccinated⁴.

The varicella vaccine is given as a preventive measure to put children at less risk of contracting the disease, spreading it to others or developing complications as a result of having chickenpox¹. 

Immunisation activities have been introduced in Malaysia from as early as 1868. At that time, there was only immunisation to prevent smallpox⁵. But today, we have a relatively comprehensive immunisation schedule that is given to Malaysian children under the National Immunisation Programme (NIP)⁶. 

Though the varicella vaccine is not currently part of the NIP, it is actually readily available at most general practitioners’ clinics, private hospitals and at your paediatrician’s clinics too⁷. 

It is highly recommended that you speak to your doctor or paediatrician at your next visit to ask them about the varicella vaccine for your children.

Besides that, parents should always ensure that the toys of children are disinfected regularly. Frequently touched surfaces should always be wiped down and disinfected to prevent the disease from spreading too⁸.

Don’t forget to practice these good hygiene habits as well as speak to your family doctor about preventive measures you can take. 

MY-VVX-00114 Aug/2022

REFERENCE

1. PORTAL MyHEALTH. Chickenpox. Available From: https://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/chickenpox/. Last Accessed 20 August 2022.  
2. Mayo Clinic. Chickenpox. Available From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chickenpox/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351287. Last Accessed 22 August 2022. 
3. National Health Service Scotland. Chickenpox. Available From: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/chickenpox#treating-chickenpox. Last Accessed 22 August 2022. 
4. National Health Service. Chickenpox. Available From: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chickenpox/. Last Accessed 22 August 2022. 
5. Sulaiman FI, Ariffin K. Penggunaan Vaksin Era Kolonial Di Selangor. Asian Journal of Environment, History and Heritage [Internet]. 2021:5(1).
6. Immunise4Life. The Malaysian National Immunisation Programme (NIP). Available From: https://immunise4life.my/the-malaysian-national-immunisation-programme-nip/. Last Accessed 19 August 2022.  
7. Immunise4Life. 5 Additional Recommended Vaccines for Children. Available From: https://immunise4life.my/5-additional-vaccines-for-children/. Last Accessed 13 September 2022.
8. Centre for Health Protection. Department of Health – The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Chickenpox. Available From: https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/15.html. Last Accessed 22 August 2022.