Volume 9, Issue 5: Rashes in children

Rashes in children: spot the difference

You are chatting with your crewmate when the radio jumps to life, it is a 5-year-old male with a rash and fever. On arrival you find your little patient is alert, has a normal effort of breathing and good colour. There are some red/brown blotchy patches around his head and neck, your crewmate thinks it is a prickly heat rash but you are not so sure…

CPD Benefit

Nearly 13 million patients present to GP surgeries every year with dermatological complaints and childhood rashes are very common. Many childhood rashes are benign and self-limiting but comprehensive assessment and accurate differential diagnoses can prevent morbidity and mortality from primary and secondary causes. This article discusses terms and types of rashes; how to assess paediatric patients with a rash and differential diagnoses to enable you to recognise red flags and the unwell child. The article also outlines safety netting advice and procedures for reporting notifiable diseases.

Assessment Answers and References

You can check your answers to the quiz and download the references for this article by clicking the links below:

Standby CPD – Vol. 9 No. 5 – References

Standby CPD Volume 9 – Assessment Answers