Rash on the face with scarlet fever

The rash can generally occur all over the body. However, one of the typical sites of skin reaction is the face. Often the rash is first noticed on the face and can provide the decisive indication for the presence of scarlet fever on the basis of the typical location on the face.

It is noticeable that the rash occurs mainly on the cheeks, while the area around the mouth is left out. The connection with scarlet fever and this typical rash on the face is so characteristic for the disease that in this constellation, the medical term for the disease is “Facies scarlatinosa”. A rash in the mouth also occurs very frequently.

On the one hand, the soft palate is affected by the rash (located “above” and “behind” the mouth). In addition, a red tongue, which is also called “red raspberry or strawberry tongue” because of its appearance, is conspicuous. In the course of the disease, the rash may spread to the areas of the entire head and neck.

The absence of the rash does not necessarily mean that it cannot be scarlet fever. Especially recently, atypical cases have been increasing, in which the rash is weak or not noticeable at all. The absence of the rash does not necessarily mean that it cannot be scarlet fever. Especially recently, the number of atypical cases in which the rash is weak or not noticeable at all has increased.

Scarlet rash on abdomen

The skin on the stomach is often affected by the rash that accompanies scarlet fever. The rash on the abdomen usually appears within 48 hours of the onset of the disease and can be classified as the so-called exanthema stage (stage of the rash). However, it is noticeable that the rash on the abdomen is much smaller than on the groin, as well as under the armpits or on the cheeks. The rash on the abdomen can be described as fine and “knotty-spotted”. It is also typical that the rash, just like on the rest of the body, changes from fine spots to a diffuse redness during the course of the disease.

Scarlet fever rash on the chest

After the onset of the disease, the rash spreads more or less over the entire body, including the breast of the affected child. It is noticeable that the breast is less red and has fewer red spots than the most severely affected areas, the groins and articular bends and the face. The fine spotted exanthema (rash) becomes a diffuse redness after some time and disappears after the disease has healed.

Duration and course of the rash

Scarlet fever proceeds in characteristic stages. Among other symptoms, the localization and duration of the rash is of primary importance for the correct diagnosis of the disease. At the beginning of the disease, only the tongue is reddened and shows an appearance known as “raspberry or strawberry tongue”.

Approximately 48 hours after the onset of the disease, a pale red, finely stained rash appears, which can be described as “nodular-spotted”. It is mainly visible on the groin and cheeks and spreads over the course of the disease, somewhat more weakly, over the entire body. After 1-2 days the rash turns a strong red colour and the fine spots become a diffuse redness on the body.

The rash disappears about 3-7 days after the beginning of the disease. It is typical that the rash disappears shortly before the fever subsides. It should also be noted that after 2-4 weeks a scaling of the skin can occur, which is understood to be a consequence of the disease and the rash.

In addition, there is often “glove-like” detachment of the skin on the palms of the hands as well as on the inner surfaces of the feet. These scaling may continue for some time, but will heal by themselves. It often happens that the disease is so mild that the rash associated with scarlet fever is completely overlooked.