Symptom Checker

  • When to seek medical advice

    • Consult your child's doctor if:

    • A rash or lesion affects the eyes
    • Blue, red or purple dots appear in the affected area
    • The lesion is crusty, blistering or oozing
    • A rash is accompanied by a fever, dizziness, shortness of breath, vomiting or a stiff neck
    • A rash is accompanied by any other troubling symptoms
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  • Choose a
    symptom
  • Select related
    factors
  • View possible
    causes

Skin rashes

Find possible causes of skin rashes based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

  • Blisters

  • Itchy

  • Lacy and slightly raised

  • Oozing sores that become crusty

  • Pus-filled, crusty swellings

  • Raised, red welts

  • Red or discolored blotches

  • Red or discolored bumps

  • Red or discolored skin

  • Ring shaped

  • Scaly or flaky

  • Thick and leathery

  • Tracks or lines

  • A small site and then spreads

  • Buttocks

  • Diaper area

  • Face or neck

  • Folds of skin

  • Genital area

  • Hands or feet

  • Scalp

  • Trunk

  • Eating certain foods

  • Exposure to allergen or irritant

  • Exposure to irritating plants

  • Exposure to lake or river water

  • Prolonged exposure to heat

  • Tick bite or possible exposure to ticks

  • Abdominal pain

  • Brittle hair and hair loss

  • Cough

  • Dandruff

  • Diarrhea

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Joint pain

  • Loss of appetite

  • Mouth or tongue sores

  • Muscle aches or pains

  • Muscle weakness

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Peeling skin on hands or feet

  • Persistent fatigue or weakness

  • Red eyes

  • Red, swollen tongue

  • Runny nose

  • Sore throat

  • Swelling of lips, face or tongue

  • Tender or painful scalp

  • Weight loss

 

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References
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  24. Pelvic pain. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec18/ch242/ch242d.html. Accessed Nov. 29, 2011.
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  26. Approach to the patient with headache. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch216/ch216a.html. Accessed Nov. 29, 2011.
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  30. Neck pain. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00231. Accessed Nov. 29, 2011.
  31. Spinal cord compression. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch224/ch224g.html. Accessed Nov. 29, 2011.
  32. Nerve compression syndromes. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec04/ch042/ch042f.html. Accessed Nov. 29, 2011.
  33. Abbott AV. Diagnostic approach to palpitations. American Family Physician. 2005;71:743.
  34. Karnani NG, et al. Evaluation of chronic dyspnea. American Family Physician. 2005;71:1529.
  35. Shoulder pain. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00065. Accessed Nov. 29, 2011.
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  37. Get smart: Sore throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/URI/sore-throat.html. Accessed Nov. 29, 2011.
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DS00671 Jan. 19, 2012

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