Caring for Kids with Roseola

Roseola, otherwise known as the sixth disease and roseola infantum, is a virus that is common in children between the ages of six months and two years. This virus can take several days to show symptoms and can be dangerous due to the sudden, high fever that it causes. A roseola rash is caused by type 6 and type 7 human herpesvirus. These viruses belong to the herpes simplex family, but will not cause genital herpes or cold sores. 

How to Recognize Roseola 

Recognizing roseola as a parent can be very difficult, as the rash presents with symptoms that might lead you to suspect something else is wrong. In fact, roseola infantum often will not cause any symptoms from five to fifteen days after contracting the virus. Doctors generally recognize roseola due to the occurrence of a rash after a sudden, high fever. 

Initially, with a roseola rash, a child will experience a mild upper respiratory illness. After this, they will display a sudden, high fever that will last three to seven days. Your child may also experience diarrhea, swollen eyelids, irritability, or a cough. As their fever ends, a roseola rash will appear. 

A roseola rash looks pinkish-red and can either be raised or flat. The spots from a roseola rash will turn white when they are touched and can sometimes have a light halo around them. This rash normally affects the neck, face, arms, and/or legs. You will find that your child will not experience any itching from this rash and that this it will fade after a few hours or a few days. 

How to Treat Roseola 

One of the biggest concerns with roseola is the fever that it causes. This can be treated with certain medications, but roseola cannot be “cured” as it is a virus. Instead, it should simply go away on its own. The best thing you can do on your own is to ensure that your child is getting plenty of rest and fluids. 

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Any type of rash can leave damage behind on the skin. Olive oil is a great substance to use to heal a rash and renew the skin. You can rub olive oil on your child’s rash mixed with honey or on its own a few times a day. 

Coconut oil is another natural substance that is great for hydrating a rash. A roseola rash typically does not cause any sort of itching, but hydrating the skin will help repair any damage it leaves behind. Unlike olive oil, coconut oil has a thick consistency (like most diaper rash products) this will help protect the rash from irritation and damage. 

One of the best ways to treat roseola is to keep it from ever happening. Teaching your children to wash their hands after using the bathroom or touching unsanitary surfaces is a great way of keeping roseola and other infections away. In addition, if your child might have roseola,  teaching them to cough or sneeze into their arm is a wonderful way of preventing the spread of a potential roseola rash. 

Seeking Out Help for a Roseola Rash 

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You may find that you are having difficulties with your child’s fever or rash. If so, there are medications out there that can help the symptoms of your child’s fever and reduce the fever immensely. You might find that it takes a few days to see a regular doctor for your child. What if you could be seen as soon as you notice symptoms in your child? BASS Urgent Care always has medical professionals waiting on standby, Monday through Friday, 7AM to 7PM. We understand how difficult it can be to see your child suffering and are here to help them feel better.

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