Many people who have children find themselves wishing that they came with an instruction manual, especially when said children aren’t feeling well. One of the most unnerving symptoms of illness can be a rash, particularly one that is contagious. While many contagious illnesses can cause rashes, three of the most common are measles, impetigo, and roseola.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It is characterized by red spots inside the mouth and cheeks, fever, light sensitivity, and a skin rash. Symptoms of measles begin to develop about 7-11 days after exposure. Measles can be complicated by ear infections or pneumonia, and is mostly spread by coughing or sneezing. Once a person has had the measles he or she will not get it again. Because measles is highly contagious, a person who is sick should be kept isolated from other children until the illness has passed.

Impetigo is a bacterial infection that causes raised pus-filled lesions that burst and crust over 4-6 days after appearing. Impetigo is highly contagious and is often passed from child to child when the lesions appear on the hands or face. Impetigo can also develop when other skin irritations like poison ivy are scratched. Good hygiene can prevent impetigo from spreading. Most important is to wash hands properly and to discourage the sufferer from scratching the infected areas by bandaging them if necessary. Impetigo is generally treated with antibiotics.

Roseola is typically caused by a virus, and is most common in children under the age of three. Roseola has quite a long incubation period- a child may not show symptoms until 5-15 days after being exposed. The first symptom of roseola is a high fever that comes on suddenly. Children are probably most contagious during this fever stage before the rash appears. The rash appears as the fever decreases and is characterized by flat or raised lesions that start in the trunk area and spread to the face, arms, and legs. The rash is not itchy. Along with this rash comes irritability and swelling around the eyes. If your child has this rash, be sure to keep him or her away from other children until the fever and rash are both gone. Most children who contract roseola do not need medication, but ibuprofen can be used for management of the fever.

When children aren’t feeling well, a rash can be a telltale symptom that something is amiss. Different types of rashes can indicate different illnesses. Some common contaigious illnesses that are characterized by rashes are measles, impetigo, and roseola. As always, if your child has a strange rash, take him or her to the doctor to be examined more thoroughly.