What is viral exanthem?

Are you feeling a little itchy lately? Perhaps you’re noticing some red spots on your skin. Could this be the work of an insidious brain bug, controlling our every thought and action? No, more likely than not, viral exanthem is to blame. In simpler terms, viral exanthem is basically when your skin decides to check out for a while and leave you looking like a polka-dotted dalmatian.

What Is Viral Exanthem?

Viral exanthem may sound like something D-list superheroes battle in comic books, but really it’s just a fancy term for those pesky rashes that sometimes pop up when our bodies are fighting off illness. The word “exanthema” comes from Greek and literally means “to break out.” So essentially, all we’re talking about here is a breakout caused by an underlying virus.

Symptoms of Viral Exanthem

So what exactly do these outbreaks look like? Well grab yourself some industrial strength calamine lotion because we’ve got all the dirty deets:

  • Red or pink rash
  • Flat or raised bumps
  • Itching
  • Peeling or flaking skin once rash subsides

And if that doesn’t paint enough of an image in your head already – picture Edward Scissorhands casually strolling through your backyard… yeah that’ll do.

Common Causes of Viral Exanthems

As mentioned previously, viral exathems can occur when there is an underlying infection present in one’s body. Some common culprits include:

  1. Roseola:
    Otherwise known as “baby measles,” which sounds infinitely more cuddly than it actually is.
  2. Fifth Disease:
    Because who needs first through fourth disease?? Felonies come later…
  3. Chickenpox/Shingles:
    Proof that children are basically walking petri dishes.
  4. Mononucleosis:
    Also known as “the kissing disease” because what starts as a peck on the cheek can end with your skin rebelling against you.

But don’t worry too much, viral exanthem is generally harmless and not contagious once the rash has appeared. It’s simply a sign that your body is doing its job of fighting off an infection.

Diagnosing Viral Exanthem

If you’re experiencing symptoms similar to those listed above, and have recently been sick or been in contact with someone who was ill, there’s a good chance viral exathem may be to blame for your latest fashion statement (read: rash). However, if you want to be extra certain it’s always best to consult with a physician – they’ll have plenty of experience dealing with human-sized dalmatians.

Treatment for Viral Exanthem

Sadly there isn’t really anything we can do about better-known viruses like the common cold (aside from complaining incessantly until our spouse brings us some soup), and viral exanthems unfortunately fall under that same umbrella hate-group which cannot be harnessed by modern medicine… Yeah!!

That being said, treatment typically involves relieving itchiness associated with rashes using over-the-counter lotions such as calamine or antihistamines like Benadryl. In severe cases where the breakout becomes infected or covers large areas of the body- prescription topical treatments like steroid creams may also be prescribed^[1]. Thus allowing patients to truely feel Pokemon trainers catching all 150-ish visible spots.

It should also go without saying but proper hand sanitation practices helps prevent spreading whatever virus lead up-to this particular condition

Conclusion: To The Rash…

While certainly annoying and sometimes disconcerting looking; at least suffering through viral exanthem is a good indication that your body is fighting infections as best it can! And while there may not be any magical cure, some comforting words told to the cute polka-dotted dalmatian inside you goes a long way…until he tells you its already in progress.

References :

^[1]: “Viral Rashes” accessed from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rashes/viral-rashes on 4/20/21

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