Diagnosis

If the rash does not disappear on its own after a few days, or after avoiding contact with a possible allergen, a doctor should be consulted. In this case it is probably not an allergic reaction, but an internal infection that causes the rash. Also, if there are additional symptoms, such as shortness of breath or fever, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the cause of the spots on the arms.

There is then a suspicion of an allergic shock, in which case the patient is in urgent need of medical attention. If the substance causing the allergy is unknown, a so-called prick test can be carried out, in which the skin reaction to various substances is checked by bringing them under the skin with a small sharp knife. In children, it is particularly important to consult a pediatrician in case of apparently unfounded spots on the arms.

Especially if they occur in conjunction with fever, a child’s disease is most likely the cause, which requires treatment to reduce the risk of infection. The diagnosis can often be made on the basis of a physical examination. If streptococcus is suspected, a quick test can be carried out using a smear taken from the child’s throat.

How the red spots on the arms are treated always depends on the underlying cause. If the spots are very itchy or have scaly skin and the cause is not clear at first, creams containing cortisone can help to relieve the symptoms. If an allergic reaction is the cause, the complaints can be combated by taking antihistamines.

In the long term, the trigger of the allergic reaction should be identified and avoided. If viruses or bacteria are the cause of the stains, antivirals or antibiotics are used to kill the viruses or bacteria. However, there are also infectious diseases that heal on their own. When childhood diseases occur, antibiotics may be necessary for scarlet fever, but this is not necessarily the case.