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What Causes Red Patches On Face In A Child?

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Posted on Tue, 1 Sep 2015
Question: Dear doctor

My 8 month old baby recently develop this red patches on his face. He is eating normal and I'm pretty sure it isn't associated with food sensitivity.
It went away in the morning and come back in the noon ...pls advise
doctor
Answered by Dr. Taher Y Kagalwala (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It may either be due to a virus or an allergy.

Detailed Answer:
Red splotchy rashes can either be due to an infection of the skin, with later pus formation, or it may be due to a virus. The viruses that can cause a rash like this are not the usual measles or German measles ones, but rarer ones. Most such viruses also have fever, refusal of feeds, some cough and cold or a few loose bowel motions along with the rash.

I would suggest that you take a photo and send it back to me with the reply. It will help me to better understand the rash. If it is possible. If not, we will work around that with some leading questions.

Give me the word, and I will return to answer your questions in depth. In the meantime, apply Caladryl® lotion on the rash (taking care that the child does not eat the lotion). You can also give an antihistamine syrup like Loratadine 1 ml twice a day. Do seek the cause of the rash, as a detailed look at the kid and her environment will help to uncover the reason for the rash, and once you remove your child from the offending influence, your child's rash will go away.

I will await your revert with the photo of the requested rash.

Thanks and take care.

Dr. Taher
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Taher Y Kagalwala (2 hours later)
Dear doctor,

Thanks for your reply . I had uploaded the picture for u.. I don know if it is cause by the towel we use to wipe his face while feeding... We did not introduce new food too.. It subside the next day only to come back again in the noon. Can weather or too much air con etc cause it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Taher Y Kagalwala (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This is most likely a viral rash

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

I saw the pictures. They show a reddish rash on the left cheek, as you mentioned in your question earlier. It resembles what we call a "slapped cheek appearance". This is seen in a viral illness called "erythema infectiosum", or commonly known as "Fifth disease". You need not worry about this, as this will resolve with the line of treatment I suggested earlier.

If it does not resolve in a few days' time, please do contact me again. Some children may need a short course of steroid therapy for stubborn rashes.

Best wishes,

Dr. Taher
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Taher Y Kagalwala (16 hours later)
But the rash always get better the next morning only to come back again thereafter... Y is that so?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Taher Y Kagalwala (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It could be related to the ambient temperature

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Rashes are known to vary according to the ambient temperature. In that sense, the rash might worsen as the heat increases. However, this raises the possibility of this rash being due to other reasons. I would suggest that you get the following additional tests done so that we are on surer ground as of the rash. Get a Complete hemogram, an ESR, and a Wood's lamp examination done of the rash. Wood's lamp is usually used for diagnosis of fungal skin infections and is a type of ultra-violet lamp. This is normally something dermatologists do, so if you take your daughter in for a derma consult, you would not only be able to rule out a fungus, but also make sure of the diagnosis.

Please revert to me after these tests are done.

Dr. Taher, with best wishes.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Taher Y Kagalwala

Pediatrician

Practicing since :1982

Answered : 710 Questions

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What Causes Red Patches On Face In A Child?

Brief Answer: It may either be due to a virus or an allergy. Detailed Answer: Red splotchy rashes can either be due to an infection of the skin, with later pus formation, or it may be due to a virus. The viruses that can cause a rash like this are not the usual measles or German measles ones, but rarer ones. Most such viruses also have fever, refusal of feeds, some cough and cold or a few loose bowel motions along with the rash. I would suggest that you take a photo and send it back to me with the reply. It will help me to better understand the rash. If it is possible. If not, we will work around that with some leading questions. Give me the word, and I will return to answer your questions in depth. In the meantime, apply Caladryl® lotion on the rash (taking care that the child does not eat the lotion). You can also give an antihistamine syrup like Loratadine 1 ml twice a day. Do seek the cause of the rash, as a detailed look at the kid and her environment will help to uncover the reason for the rash, and once you remove your child from the offending influence, your child's rash will go away. I will await your revert with the photo of the requested rash. Thanks and take care. Dr. Taher