Sore throat with a rash

A rash may appear when you have a sore throat because:

• Some viruses cause both a sore throat and a rash.
• Increased heat can cause a rashlike skin irritation.
• Medications taken for colds can cause an allergic reaction that involves the skin.

Scarlet fever is a childhood disease that usually occurs between the ages of 2 and 10. The rash is caused by a toxin that is present in some strep bacteria. The rash itself is not contagious and does not need treatment, but the strep infection does.

Characteristics of scarlet fever rash include the following:

• Your child usually has a sore throat and fever before the rash appears.
• The rash (tiny, speckled pink dots) shows up as reddened, sunburned-looking skin, especially on the chest and abdomen.
• The rash and redness are more apparent in skin folds, especially in the groin, armpits, and elbow creases.
• The rash feels rough and sandpapery.
• The rash may cover the entire body within 24 hours.