Scarlet fever (erythema): causes, symptoms and treatment

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What is scarlet fever?

Scarlet fever or scarlet fever in children is a disease that occurs due to a bacterial infection.

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, a disease that is also referred to as scarlatina it is also accompanied by a high fever, a reddish rash all over the body, and a sore throat.

Usually, the redness will start to subside by the sixth day. However, it can take several weeks for the scars to completely peel off and disappear.

If left untreated, the rash can lead to more dangerous conditions that can affect the heart, kidneys and other parts of the body.

How common is scarlet fever?

This condition usually occurs in children aged 5-15 years. Please also note that scarlet fever or scarlet fever is an infectious disease in children that is classified as serious.

Please discuss with your pediatrician for more information about possible precautions.

What are the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever in children?

Rash or redness on the child's body is the main symptom scarlet fever or scarlet fever.

Usually, the rash starts in areas of the child's body such as the neck, face, chest, back and other areas of the body.

In the folds of the body such as the elbows, armpits, and groin, the rash will form red streaks.

Here are some other signs and symptoms of scarlet fever that happens to children, namely:

• A fever in a child reaches a temperature of 38.3 ° C or higher.
• Fever accompanied by chills.
• Sore and red throat accompanied by white or yellowish patches.
• Difficulty swallowing
• The presence of spots or white coating on the tongue.
• The lymph nodes in the neck area are enlarged.
• Nausea accompanied by vomiting.
• Headache.

In rare cases, early symptoms scarlet fever or scarlet fever is when you have a skin infection such as impetigo.

When experiencing symptoms of this skin infection, the child does not feel sore throat.

Distinguishing scarlet fever from measles

Although at first scarelet fever or scarlet fever looks like measles, but the condition can be distinguished by the symptoms of the disease.

For example, the symptoms of measles are always accompanied by a cold cough, conjunctivitis or inflammation of the eye, and doctors find coplik spots.

Whereas in scarlet fever, the accompanying symptom is sore throat.

Not only that, the characteristics of the rash are quite different. In measles, the rash will appear from behind the ear while the rash is characteristic on scarlet fever appears on the neck.

When should your child see a doctor?

You should see a doctor immediately if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• Fever more than 38.9 degrees Celsius.
• Inflammation of the neck.
• Red rash.
• Stomach pain and experiencing vomiting.
• Pretty bad headaches.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms in children, consult a doctor.

Moreover, every child has a different body condition.

What causes scarlet fever in children?

The main cause of its occurrence scarlet fever in children is a bacterial infection that is the same as the sore throat condition, namely Group A Streptococcus.

This type of bacteria can release toxins or toxins that cause a rash and a reddish tongue.

You need to be careful because this scarlet fever is an infectious disease. Infection can spread through droplet (saliva splash) when the child coughs or sneezes.

The incubation period of these bacteria lasts 2 to 4 days. Therefore, it is possible that the infected child does not appear sick at first.

What increases the risk of scarlet fever?

Children aged 5 to 15 years are more susceptible to developing this disease than other age groups.

The germs or bacteria that cause scarlet fever can spread easily.

Moreover, if the child experiences direct contact or is close to friends or other family members.

Keep in mind that having no risk factors does not mean that your child will avoid scarlet fever. Everyone can be infected because it is classified as easy to spread.

What are the complications that can occur?

If scarlet fever not handled properly, what can happen is the bacteria spread to other organs, such as:

• Tonsils
• Lungs
• Kidney
• Blood
• Middle ear

Not only that, sometimes this scarlet fever can also lead to rheumatic fever and other serious conditions that affect the heart, joints, nervous system, and skin.

What is the treatment for scarlet fever?

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

The doctor diagnoses based on the condition and clinical examination. Therefore, the doctor will do swab throat to determine the type of bacteria in the child's throat.

When the doctor has confirmed that the child experiences scarlet fever or scarlet fever, he will prescribe an antibiotic such as penicillin or amoxicillin.

This medication needs to be taken for 10 days or until it runs out to cure the infection and prevent the bacteria from spreading to other people.

It can take up to several weeks for the swelling of the tonsils and glands to return to normal.

What are some home remedies to treat scarlet fever?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you cope scarlet fever in children, such as:

• Provide easy-to-swallow foods such as porridge or warm soup. You can also provide juice or ice cream.
• Prepare warm salt water to help reduce sore throats in children.
• Make sure you keep getting fluids such as water to keep the throat moist and prevent dehydration.
• Give ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve fever and pain.
• Use a humidifier to avoid dry air that irritates your throat.
• Make sure children over 4 years of age take sore throat lozenges.

Until now, there is no vaccine that can be used to prevent this scarlet fever in children.

Therefore, the prevention you can do is to teach children to maintain cleanliness.

For example, children already know how to wash their hands properly and cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing.

If you have questions, consult your doctor for the best solution for your child's health condition.