Flu and COVID-19: Staying Healthy

Medicine Rashes in Children

What are medicine rashes in children?

Medicine rashes are the body’s reaction to a certain medicine. You may also hear these called drug rashes. The type of rash that occurs depends on the type of medicine that is causing it. Rashes can range from mild to severe.

What causes medicine rashes in a child?

Medicine rashes in children can have several causes. These include:

Allergic reaction to the medicine
An immune system reaction to the medicine
An unwanted side effect of a medicine
Hypersensitivity to sunlight caused by a medicine

Medicine rashes may be severe and require a stay in the hospital.

Which children are at risk for medicine rashes?

Medicine rashes happen for different reasons. There are no specific risk factors for many causes. But an allergic reaction to one medicine may increase the risk for a medicine rash or allergic reaction to another medicine in the same medicine family. Long-term (chronic) health problems may increase a child’s risk of getting a medicine rash.

What are the symptoms of medicine rashes in a child?

The symptoms of medicine rashes can vary. But they may be similar to rashes caused by diseases such as measles. It's important to take your child to their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

The following are common symptoms of medicine rashes and their possible causes.

Symptoms	Possible causes
Pimples and red areas that show up most often on the face, shoulders, and chest	Anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, bromides, iodides, lithium, isoniazid, phenytoin, phenobarbital, vitamins B-2, B-6, and B-12
Red, scaly skin that may thicken and involve the entire body	Antibiotics that have sulfa, penicillins, or hydantoins
A dark red or purple rash that comes back to the same site on the skin	Antibiotics that have sulfa, tetracycline, or phenolphthalein (also found in certain laxatives)
Raised red bumps	Aspirin, penicillins, antibiotics that have sulfa, and many other medicines
A flat, red rash that may include spots similar to the measles	Antibiotics that have sulfa, ampicillin, analgesics, or barbiturates; but any medicine can cause this rash
Purple areas on the skin, often on the legs	Some blood-thinners (anticoagulants) and water pills (diuretics)
Blisters or a hive-like rash on the lining of the mouth, vagina, or penis	Antibiotics that have sulfa, other antibiotics, NSAIDs, barbiturates, penicillins

How are medicine rashes diagnosed in a child?

Diagnosing a rash caused by a reaction to medicine is hard. Even a small amount of a medicine can cause a major reaction on the skin. In addition, the reaction can happen after the child has been taking a medicine for a long time. And the rash can last for a while even after the medicine is stopped.

Your child’s healthcare provider may advise that they stop taking a medicine to see if the reaction stops. Other medicines may be used instead.

How are medicine rashes treated in a child?

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

The rash often clears up if the child stops taking the medicine that is causing the reaction. Other treatment may include taking:

Corticosteroids
Antihistamines
Epinephrine for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?

Tell your child's healthcare provider right away if your child develops a rash while taking a medicine. Don’t give your child any more medicine until you talk to your child's provider. Allergic reactions can be serious and even fatal. Call your child's healthcare provider right away or call 911 if your child has acute symptoms in addition to the rash, such as:

Wheezing
Trouble breathing
Tightness in the throat or chest
Fainting
Nausea
Vomiting
Areas of peeling skin or skin that is raw
Sores on the eyes, in the mouth, or on the genitals
Any other serious symptoms

Key points about medicine rashes in children

Medicine rashes are the body's reaction to a certain medicine. Rashes can range from mild to severe.
The type of rash that happens depends on the type of medicine that is causing it.
Contact your child's healthcare provider right away if your child develops a rash while taking a medicine. Allergic reactions can be serious and even fatal. Don't give any more medicine until you talk to your provider.
Diagnosing a rash caused by a reaction to medicine can be complicated.
The problem often clears up if the child stops taking the medicine that is causing the reaction.
Allergic reactions can be serious and even fatal.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours, and on weekends and holidays. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.