All About Scarlet Fever

The production of exotoxin by the streptococcus pyogenes would elicit the development of a disease called scarlet fever, which often interchanged with the term scarlatina. The latter term denotes a type of scarlet fever that is of mild stage, which is widespread during the 20th century. The disease is typified by bright-red tongue, sore throat, and distinctive rashes, accompanied with fever.

The rashes that would show up during this condition would lighten upon pressure, look fine and reddish with rough texture. They can be perceptible after twelve to forty-eight hours from the onset of the fever, starting to populate the chest, armpits and then at the back portion of the ears. Oftentimes, the rashes would spare the face except for some conditions that they do become visible in the face of the patient. They tend to worsen in the skin fold areas, especially in the areas where the rashes meet like the armpits. Such condition is referred to as Pastia Lines, which could recur even after the rashes disappear.

In addition to rashes, it is also possible that they can extend towards the genital spots and can wrap the uvula. But when the peeling starts, these rashes would fade. The fading of rashes will usually occur three to four days from the inception of peeling, also known as desquamation stage. It is during this stage when the flakes from the face peel off. The flakes from the palms and surrounding fingers will start to peel off in the following week. Same thing goes with those in the groin, axilla and other body parts.