What is Maculopapular Rash ?
As the name suggests, maculopapular rash is a kind of skin allergy that causes lesions or papules in the skin. The rash may last for 4 weeks or even more and is caused by virus that causes measles in children. Maculopapular rash largely affects children and sometime adult population. The term “maculopapular” denotes macule (discoloration) and papule (lesions or bumps). This type of rash causes flat blemishes on the skin with reddened lesions or bumps. Rash is limited to certain parts of the body in some people and is distributed liberally in others. It can be acute (short period) and also chronic (long lasting). Treatment for maculopapular rash is purely based on the symptoms. Antiviral medications are prescribed to manage the raised lesions and antihistamines are effective in controlling itching.
Symptoms Of Maculopapular Rash :
Maculopapular rash is marked by the presence of distinct lesions or bumps on the skin. It appears as flat lesion measuring less than one cm in diameter. In some cases the papule can be in the form of raised lesions or nodule forming above the surface of the skin. The lesions may contain pus like fluid inside which leaks out on eruption.
This can cause moderate to severe itching and discomfort on the affected area of the skin. In some patients the symptoms of rash would appear along with signs like fever, headache, confusion of thought and general illness. The area where the rash initially appears depends on the type of virus that has caused it. It can begin behind the ears in case of Rubeola virus and spreads throughout the body. The rash can begin on the face initially and spreads to the truck and extremities subsequently in case of Rubella virus.
Maculopapular Rash Causes :