Baby with Rash

My 1 year old broke out in a rash (hives) after she had RSV. It is normal and their bodies way of finishing off or getting rid of the illness. I would worry if they had a high fever or trouble breathing accompanied with the rash, other than that, normal.

Sounds like the Roseola virus. Usually the kid has a cold, runs high fever for a few days, gets better, then breaks out in a rash all over thier body for 24-48hrs. The virus is most common in children 3mo- 3yrs old.

At the end of one of my son's colds (he was probably 8 months old at the time), he broke out in hives all over. I'm not sure if that's the same kind of rash your child has. When we went to the doctor, he told us that the most common reason why they see hives in young children is because they're caused by cold viruses. Our son was itchy, but we kept him on benedryl until it passed and this seemed to ease his discomfort. I hope your son gets better!

hi K.,

apprently what you're describing is exactly what i'm going through w/ my daughter. she never got a full on cold but rather just a slight cough - i didn't think anything about the cough until one morning i noticed little red spots on her face, looking very similiar to acne. i let it go but then the next day, it spread all over her face, neck, and onto her body. after seeing her pedi she said it was a natural response her body was going through, fighting off the virus. not much we could do for them. i was advised that if she does itch, 2% hydrochortizone cream was fine to use. so far, it hasn't bothered her @ all. i hope that helps. does it seem to bother your son? rashes are very common after a high fever - it's called roseola. but apprently fairly common too w/ any virus they get. best of luck!

Maybe you're dressing him too warmly and have the heat up too high. I can't imagine that a rash all over his body is "normal." Try looking at WEB MD, and if you can't solve it that way, get a second opinion. If it's just diaper rash, all you need to do is let him run around without diapers as much as possible. The old "air dry" always works.

Until my daughter was about 4, she did the same thing with every viral infection. It was a reaction to the dying virus, I guess. She doesn't do this anymore. I used Elidel, as we thought it was her eczema flaring up. It helped, but it may have been coincidental.
Stephanie

Hello Kristy,

The rash you see can be quite normal. Depending on what the rash looks like (ie very fine, no real coloration or redness, and a bit itchy) my guess would be prickly heat; at least that's what my grandma called it. Kids and even some adults experience this after a cold or the flu. It comes from being too warm and sweaty; especially at night. Remember a child temperature is often higher than that of an adult. My kids would get it every time they were sick. As long as he's not experiencing other symptoms, such as high fever or the rash begins to take color just keep him as cool and dry as possible and the rash should disappear within a day or two. But if other symptoms begin to appear do not hesitate to take him to his peds doctor. In the meantime to help alleviate the itchiness and to help keep the affected area dry you may want to lightly dust him with some cornstarch. You could also use baby powder but my fear in using baby powder was that most contain man made ingredients that may cause further irritation.

I hope this help. Best of luck to you!
CM

My daugther seems to have the same problem. So far my pedi has said that they're responses to common viruses. It seems that some kids are just more prone to develop the rash when they're exposed to them. It still concerns me each time and I always have them checked out, but it sounds like its probably pretty normal. I've developed the philsophy that...if she catches everything while she's young, she's eventually be one healthy kid! :)

I was just at the Doctor yesterday for my baby and they told me that after a Viral cold it is very common to get a rash, and that it is a sign that the cold is over. I guess that just how it manifests its self.

Although rashes can certainly be caused by viruses, other types of internal problems cause rashes as well.

A bacteria, inhaled and then circluated through the system, or ingested bacteria circulating in the gut or blood or system can cause rashes. Staph and Strep can bause a bright red rash that is hot to the touch. parasites like round worms and blastocysts can cause rashes and eczema type rashes. Fungus can cause skin ailments, most definitely with flaking /cracking/itching/burning of the skin.

If it continues on and on, look deeper. Ii would definitely try to boost his immune system. Fulvic acid is good, echinacea, etc.
Lots of info online.