Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Facial Rash And Sore Throat?
Question: my daughter has a sore throat tingling and itching of palms and feet and a rash on her face. I can't get an appt till tomorrow do you think this is a rash from possibly strep?
Brief Answer:
It may be from strep but could also be from a virus.
Detailed Answer:
The facial rash and sore throat may be from strep-scarlet fever. Strep pharyngitis (strep throat) can cause a rash to start on the face. Usually it starts more on the neck, and spreads to the face, chest, back, abdomen, but it is possible for it to start on the face. The area around the mouth usually remains pale, without the rash. The rash is characteristically fine and rough - like sand paper. And if you press on the rash it blanches/turns white.
Scarlet fever also gives, at first, a white coated tongue with angry looking red papilla sticking up on it, then after a few days the tongue becomes bright red ("strawberry tongue").
Usually when people have strep throat they feel quite ill, with a fever and tender lymph nodes in their neck.
There are also viral infections that can give the symptoms she is having. In particular, Hand Foot Mouth can give a characteristic "slapped cheek" looking rash. It's caused by an enterovirus, usually Cocksackie virus.
And a few other viruses can cause these symptoms.
At her appointment, a throat swab should be done and a rapid strep done. The rapid strep can be done immediately and is fairly accurate. If it is negative, the swab should be sent to a lab to run a culture. If it turns out to be strep, the strep bacteria is still quite sensitive to penicillin and amoxicillin. Sometimes doctors think if an infection is severe that they should prescribe a "newer" strong antibiotic such as a Z-pack, but actually penicillin (and amox) do a better job with strep.
I hope this information helps.
It may be from strep but could also be from a virus.
Detailed Answer:
The facial rash and sore throat may be from strep-scarlet fever. Strep pharyngitis (strep throat) can cause a rash to start on the face. Usually it starts more on the neck, and spreads to the face, chest, back, abdomen, but it is possible for it to start on the face. The area around the mouth usually remains pale, without the rash. The rash is characteristically fine and rough - like sand paper. And if you press on the rash it blanches/turns white.
Scarlet fever also gives, at first, a white coated tongue with angry looking red papilla sticking up on it, then after a few days the tongue becomes bright red ("strawberry tongue").
Usually when people have strep throat they feel quite ill, with a fever and tender lymph nodes in their neck.
There are also viral infections that can give the symptoms she is having. In particular, Hand Foot Mouth can give a characteristic "slapped cheek" looking rash. It's caused by an enterovirus, usually Cocksackie virus.
And a few other viruses can cause these symptoms.
At her appointment, a throat swab should be done and a rapid strep done. The rapid strep can be done immediately and is fairly accurate. If it is negative, the swab should be sent to a lab to run a culture. If it turns out to be strep, the strep bacteria is still quite sensitive to penicillin and amoxicillin. Sometimes doctors think if an infection is severe that they should prescribe a "newer" strong antibiotic such as a Z-pack, but actually penicillin (and amox) do a better job with strep.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can Hand Foot Mouth give a characteristic "slapped cheek" looking rash?
Brief Answer:
Mistake - Fifth Disease, not Hand Foot Mouth
Detailed Answer:
On rereading what I wrote, I meant to say that Fifth Disease, an infectious virus caused by Cocksackie or other enterovirus, can give a sore throat and a "slapped cheek" appearing facial rash. I did not mean to write Hand Foot Mouth.
I hope your appointment went well and that you got some answers to what your daughter's rash and sore throat are.
Mistake - Fifth Disease, not Hand Foot Mouth
Detailed Answer:
On rereading what I wrote, I meant to say that Fifth Disease, an infectious virus caused by Cocksackie or other enterovirus, can give a sore throat and a "slapped cheek" appearing facial rash. I did not mean to write Hand Foot Mouth.
I hope your appointment went well and that you got some answers to what your daughter's rash and sore throat are.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
