Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection which occurs in those who have strep throat. It manifests as a bright red rash all over your body along with fever. It is fairly common in children between 5 – 15 years. Once considered a very serious childhood illness, antibiotics have made it less threatening.
Signs And Symptoms Of Scarlet Fever
The signs and symptoms include:
- Bright red rash all over the body; it resembles a sunburn and feels like sandpaper. When pressure is applied to the rash, the area turns pale.
- The folds of skin – armpits, groin, elbows, and knees turn a darker red than the neighboring rash.
- The tongue is red and bumpy, and is covered with a white coating.
- The rash stays for about 7 days. After the rash subsides, the skin affected by the rash peels.
- The throat is painful and sore and swallowing is very difficult.
- Fever of 101 F or higher, often with chills.
- The lymph nodes in the glands are swollen.
- Nausea or vomiting and headache.
Causes Of Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is caused by the bacteria which cause strep throat – Streptococcus A. The bacteria release a toxin which is responsible for the rash. Infection spreads via droplets expelled when an infected person sneezes or coughs. The incubation period is 2 to 5 days.
Natural Remedies For Scarlet Fever
- You will be prescribed an antibiotic. Make sure you or your child completes the full course of the medication. Failure to follow guidelines won’t get rid of the infection completely and will increase the risk of developing complications.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water.
- Do not share food, drinking glasses or eating utensils with others.
- Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing to prevent a spread of the bacteria.
- Wash utensils, napkins, towels, drinking glasses, and toys in hot water and soap.
- Confer with your health care provider and ask for medications to control the fever and reduce the throat pain.
- Have loads of water: Give your child a lot of water so that the throat stays moist and you ward off dehydration.
- Saltwater gargle:Salt water gargle eases the throat pain and helps battle the infection as well.
- Ginger tea: Have 2 to 3 glasses of ginger tea with generous amounts of honey; it’ll allay the pain in the throat, bring down the fever and hasten recovery.
- Turmeric: Is a very effective home remedy to manage the symptoms of scarlet fever. Turmeric is an effective infection fighter and it helps reduce the pain and discomfort in the body. Add a spoon of powdered turmeric to a glass of warm milk.
- Vitamin C: Increase your intake of vitamin C rich foods – limes, mangoes, papayas, mangoes and oranges. Also, start a vitamin C supplement to accelerate healing.
- Humidify the air:Use a cool mist humidifier to get rid of dry air which aggravates a sore throat.
- Have comforting foods:Warm fluids like – broths, soups and herbal teas are beneficial.
- Avoid irritants:Stay away from cigarette smoke and cleaning products that irritate and inflame your throat.