Maculopapular Rash

05/04/201525/11/2015 admin 0 Comment

What is a Maculopapular Rash ?

As we all know that our skin is the most sensitive part of our body. This is our first line of defence against bacteria and microorganism that are suspended in the air. When our skin experienced intense redness, it is too obvious to see most especially in arms, legs, neck and body.

Maculopapular Rash is often visible in the skin. Its characteristics are small red lumps that spread in the entire body. The person affected suffers both macules and papules into their skin. Having a body irritation can make our day unproductive since we cannot do anything aside from scratching and pissed off. It is good to know what are the roots causes of this condition and let us find out the best treatment options.

Maculopapular rash comes from the two words “macule” and “papule” which means flat, small and non-colored swollen bumps. This rash is been associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus rashes. It can widely affect the general population and can appear in any parts of our body.

At first, the rashes can be seen as reddish colored and later on the color fades away. According to experts, maculopapular should not be used as a term but they required the word “morbiliform” to designate such term. It is also called the ‘fifth disease rashes”. This rashes sometimes elevated and sometimes not.

Causes of Maculopapular Rash

This rash is pertaining to disease conditions. The conditions listed below often accompany this type of rashes. These diseases are:

Measles -an acute infection common in children
Rubella – a mildly contagious viral disease
Scarlet fever – a communicable disease characterized by fever and strawberry-colored tongue
Heat rash- often cause by ultraviolet rays from the sun (prickly heat)
Syphilis erythrovirus- an infection characterized by redness and rash
Graft Versus Host Disease– comes out after blood transfusion complications.
Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever
Overdose intake of Niacin
Sea Bather’s Eruption- cause by hypersensitivity to stings of larvae
Typhus Fever- carried by lice in hair that causes fever
Scabies- irritation of the skin.
Epstein- Barr Virus- this is from animal virus contacted by human
Dengue Fever- fever caused by mosquitoes
Chikungunya- fever that also carried by mosquito
Medication side effects such as antibiotics
Cancer patient chemotherapy side effect

Signs and Symptoms of Maculopapular Rash

The manifestations of signs and symptoms of this condition depend on the underlying causes.

Appearance of small reddish lesions
Body temperature elevation
Body irritations of the rash
Blanching of the skin
Palms and soles are most affected especially in children
3-4 days the rashes will stay in the skin
Skin blisters

Diagnosis of Maculopapular Rash

Diagnosing this condition can be obtained by thorough assessment.

Check first the medical history
Look and inspect for the site of the rash
Complete blood count is done
Syphilis test, culture and sensitivity test, and other specific test for a certain diseases
Cerebrospinal fluid test
General examination of the entire body may be done
Pain assessment is also done
Eyes, ears, nose and throat exam are also done
Other specific test in confirming the disease condition

Treatment of Maculopapular Rash

Treatment modalities target all the symptoms. It depends upon the underlying cause.

Anti-inflammatory is given for infection such as chloroquine
Increasing fluid intake and intravenous fluids is recommended especially when dengue fever is associated
Ultraviolet radiation therapy for Marburg haemorrhagic fever
Pain medication is also prescribe for Epstein-Barr Virus
Blood transfusion if must needed
Consult dermatologist for further evaluation
Have a good rest to save energy
Advance medical treatment for Marburg Hemmorhagic Fever
Symptomatic treatment approach for other associated sign and symptoms

The treatment is as simple as that but it can create big impact to the affected person. In children, make sure you collaborate with your paediatrician for the test and medication for your child. Do not let your child suffer with this condition. Be vigilant enough to take good care of your children. For adults, seek specialist that can help you with your condition.

Special Considerations

A Maculopapular rash is due to viral infections. You can commonly see this in children. Good news for you, treatment of this is like treating viral infections. The rashes will naturally vanish right after you are treated with the underlying conditions. If no other complications involved, you don’t need to worry much. The prognosis of this condition is highly predictable with higher survival rate.

When you seek medical advice to your health care provider, be sure to state and submit yourself to all the required test to diagnose your condition. The sooner you submit yourself, the faster the recovery and healing. Marburg Hemmorrhagic fever and Epstein – Barr virus are the complicated ones. Unless it is detected very soon, experts can still evaluate and determined your condition.