Fever with a pimple-like rash

Describe whether the spots are itchy, painful, fluid-filled, crusted, or centred on hairs, and whether they began on one area or spread. Chickenpox can produce itchy spots that change appearance over time. Local warmth, swelling, tenderness, or pus can point toward a skin infection such as Cellulitis. A rash can also accompany a respiratory illness, a new product, or a medicine reaction, so the pattern alone cannot establish a diagnosis.

Take a clear photograph in good light and note when the fever and rash began. Keep the skin clean, avoid squeezing or scratching, and use loose clothing. Wash hands after touching the area and do not share towels. Drink regularly and follow age-appropriate medicine directions from a clinician or product label. Check the rash periodically for rapid spread, increasing pain, colour change, blistering, or drainage.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or face, faintness, confusion, severe headache with neck stiffness, or purple spots that do not fade when pressed. Prompt assessment is also needed for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, marked swelling, a very unwell appearance, or fever in a young infant. Arrange a review when the rash persists, keeps returning, or follows a newly started medicine.

Ask whether the rash looks infectious, allergic, or related to blocked follicles, and whether anyone else should avoid close contact. Bring the photograph, product and medicine list, vaccination history, and details of recent travel or exposure.