04/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/15/2024 07:05
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Rashes are a normal part of childhood, though at times they can worry and confuse parents. For example, many children will have flushing that causes the face to turn red or pink when they are active or warm, such as when they come out of the shower. This is a normal reaction.
If your child has a rash that goes over their cheekbones, is raised above the rest of the skin, and over their nose, this could be a rash caused by a rheumatic disease called systemic lupus erythematosus. Jessica Fennell, MD, Pediatric Rheumatologist breaks down rashes, and when your child might need to see a rheumatologist.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the body and cause the rash mentioned above. To diagnose this, a pediatric rheumatologist will look for:
Rashes caused by lupus are often sensitive to the sun. The following may help:
If you see the following in your child, you should bring them right away to be seen by their doctor, who might suggest a trip to the emergency room:
We all know children get rashes for many reasons. Red/purple rashes that can be felt, like a bump, and that are present below the waist (feet, legs, or buttocks) could be a sign of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP), which is also called immunoglobulin A (IgA) vasculitis. Sometimes the rash can occur on the arms and face, too.
HSP/IgA vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels. It can cause several different symptoms, which may be present before or after the rash starts:
The rash will stay until the condition resolves, which for most children/adolescents is within 4 weeks.
Some children/adolescents will have the rash occur again within a few weeks of the original rash resolving. For others, it may occur years later. When it does occur, it happens when the child/adolescent is sick with an illness, such as a cough.
You should see your pediatrician or go to an emergency department if your child has any of these symptoms:
Color change that happens when the skin is cold could be a normal response if it resolves easily when putting on gloves. If there is numbness, pain, or other sensation changes, you might want to rule out two rheumatic conditions: chilblains and Raynaud's phenomenon.
Preventing hands and feet from getting cold is the best way to stop symptoms. It also helps to keep your entire body warm. This gear can help:
Set up an appointment with a rheumatologist to have an evaluation for these conditions. There are treatments if symptoms are persisting.
You should see your pediatrician or go to an emergency department if:
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Jessica Fennell, MD, is a pediatric rheumatologist at Connecticut Children's. Dr. Fennell's clinical interests include juvenile idiopathic arthritis, pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis, scleroderma, and autoinflammatory diseases.