|
Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Drug Rashes
DESCRIPTION
Most rashes that are caused by an allergic reaction to a
drug appear as hives or are very itchy. Hives are raised
pink spots with white centers. Their size, shape, and
location change frequently. Some less common rashes caused
by drug allergies are widespread red patches or target-
shaped rashes.
Usually a rash that develops while a child is taking a
medication is caused by a virus and is unrelated to the
medicine. Examples of viral illnesses that cause rashes
(viral exanthems) are roseola, measles, and many summertime
viruses that also cause diarrhea.
Another kind of rash may occur when a child is taking
amoxicillin or ampicillin. It is called a toxic rash. It
consists of small pink spots, mainly on the chest, abdomen,
and back. The rash is not caused by an allergic reaction to
the medicine. A child who has such a rash can continue
taking the medicine.
(For more information see Ampicillin Rash. )
HOME CARE
- Stopping the medication
If your child is diagnosed as being allergic to a
medicine, he can never take any drugs in that drug
category again. (For example, if he is allergic to one
type of penicillin, he cannot take any of the penicillin
drugs.) Hence, this is a critical decision. Unless
your physician tells you otherwise, have your child
examined before you stop a medication. However, there
are a few exceptions. Stop the drug if:
- Your child has a severe rash AND is taking
antiseizure or sulfa drugs.
- You are certain your child has hives.
- Replacing the antibiotic
Anytime antibiotics are discontinued before a child has
completed the full treatment, a doctor should see the
child within 24 hours to determine whether he or she
needs a new antibiotic. Without this precaution, many
children will have flare-ups of partially treated
infections.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:
- Your child has hives or is very itchy.
- The rash is severe.
- The rash is purple or blood-colored spots or dots.
- Your child is acting very sick.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN WITHIN 24 HOURS ABOUT:
- All children with mild widespread rashes that occur
while they are taking a medicine.
Note: A rash caused by an allergic reaction appears on most
of the body. A rash that affects just one part of the body
is not caused by drugs.
(See Rashes, Localized Pink or Red. )
|
