Strep Throat Rash – Pictures, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Strep throat rash is a symptom associated with an aggravated strep throat. Strep throat is a condition caused by the bacterium, Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus bacterium (GABHS). When strep throat worsens, it may become Scarlet Fever with strep throat rash as the initial symptom of the disease. Strep throat rash usually occurs in children ages five to fifteen years old. The strep throat rash can infect another person through direct contact or droplet contamination. Medications can help the strep throat rash to prevent transmission to other people.

Causes of strep throat rash

The number one cause of strep throat rash is the Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus bacterium. The GABHS bacterium infects the body by releasing a specific toxin that can cause scarlet fever. When scarlet fever develops, there can be a skin allergic reaction of the specific toxin being released by the GABHS bacterium resulting to strep throat rash.

Strep throat rash symptoms

Symptoms of strep throat rash should be observed closely as the rash is considered contagious and may infect others anytime. If the symptoms of strep throat rash are seen, the best thing to do is to consult the physician so that medications can be given to address the rash problem. The symptoms of strep throat rash include:

  • The strep throat rash starts as small bumps in the skin. The bumps are irregular in size and are usually red in color. This type of rash may be painful when touched.
  • The strep throat rash begins to grow in the abdomen and chest area of the patient. In most cases, the rash spreads to other parts of the body as well.
  • The infection usually fades 5 to 7 days after the first day of infection.
  • There can be peeling of the skin lasting for many days and this is a sign that the strep throat rash is healing. The peeling of the skin lasts for about 1 to 2 weeks.
  • The skin color is red just like being burned under the heat of the sun.
  • The skin is rough to the touch.
  • Usually, the patient with strep throat rash also has a sore throat due to the GABHS infection.
  • The patient would experience inflammatory reaction from the infection like fever, swelling on the areas affected by the infection such as the throat, and redness of the throat.

Strep throat rash diagnosis

Strep throat rash can be diagnosed by throat culture test. The throat culture test is done to determine what microorganisms caused the infection and to give the right medications to treat the infection. The infected throat of the patient with strep throat rash is swabbed with the use of sterile cotton swabs. Careful removal of the swab should be observed to avoid touching other areas not involved such as tongue. The swabbed sample is put in a culture plate and is left for a certain number of days to allow the growth of the microorganisms. When microorganisms have grown, there can be proper identification of the cause of the disease s thus making the treatment easier.

The other diagnostic exams done to detect strep throat rash are blood test wherein blood sample is extracted and examined in the laboratory; and DNA test in which another blood sample is taken to know the DNA composition of the microorganism causing the infection.

Strep throat rash treatment

There are numerous treatment options to cure the strep throat rash. It can be treated with medications with proper management of the rash. Antibiotic medications such as amoxicillin, penicillin and azithromycin are given to prevent the spread of the infection and to treat the infection caused by the Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus bacterium. The antibiotic medications should be accompanied with non pharmacological interventions for strep throat rash such as protecting the area affected with strep throat rash by not scratching the area or putting unnecessary things that may worsen the rash.

Since the strep throat rash is accompanied by strep throat, then this problem should also be solved . Drinking water is still the best way to get rid of the sore throat. The patient may also drink warm lemon tea to help ease the condition. The use of warm water with salt for gargling will likewise relieve strep throat.

Strep throat rash complications

The person should not neglect the appearance of strep throat rash as it may lead to complications such as Rheumatic Fever that can affect the skin, joints, heart and the brain. Strep throat rash may become acute glumerulonephritis affecting the glumerulus (functional unit of the kidneys) of the patient. These two known complications are life threatening so it is better to have the strep throat rash consulted and treated promptly.

If ever a person experiences strep throat rash, there is always a way to treat it. The best thing a person could do is to not disregard the condition and have it checked by the physician immediately.

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