Any rash-identifying gurus around? Pics included.

[picnicfuntimes]

My son (15) has had a rash like this for a week. Started on arms and hands, spread to legs, now on its way out but his sister now has it.
Neither have been ill, or had fevers etc. It’s a bit itchy but not awful. I did the glass test immediately and am not concerned it’s something ominous - just curious as to what it might be. (Not curious or concerned enough to attempt to get a gp appointment though.)

Just wondered if anyone could put a name to it? I thought allergy at first but that wouldn’t have got passed on.

Looks like fifth disease (slapped cheek) to me. I understand older people (ie not small children) don’t always get the rash on their faces.

Hives? Have you got some anti histamine he could have? Then pharmacy tomorrow?

I wondered about fifth disease. Didn’t know it could miss the cheeks. Will look it up.

If both DC have a rash it points to something contagious. My daughter has currently got scarlet fever amd the rash is not dissimilar to your pictures, although that most commonly starts on the torso. You would expect to have a sore throat and feel unwell but some people just get the rash. Rashes can be checked by pharmacists.

Does it feel slightly scratchy when you touch it?

No it’s not rough

I think the second pic looks like hives

Another vote for parvovirus (slapped cheek syndrome). My DS7 had it recently and came out in a rash on his body (particularly arms) looking just like this, after the flushed red cheeks (which, as PP said, not everyone gets - especially older children or adults).

And another vote for parvovirus. 7 year old also had this and it looked exactly the same. He didn't get ill with it, nor the red cheeks, just the rash on the arms. Which lasted a good couple of weeks if I remember correctly (it would flare up and down, especially when he was hot - which was often as it was at the height of summer, poor boy!)