Morbilliform rashes resemble measles and can be caused by drug interactions, viruses, or bacterial infections. Treatment involves identifying and treating the underlying cause and relieving symptoms with corticosteroids and antihistamines.
Morbilliform rashes are types of rash that look like a measles outbreak. The most common causes of these rashes are drug interactions, viruses, and bacterial infections. Drug interactions are often delayed, occurring a week or two after the drug is in a person’s system, and are due to a sensitivity or allergic reaction. Viruses can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including a morbilliform rash. Bacterial infections, such as those that occur from a strep infection, can also lead to a rash.
A morbilliform rash is a type of maculopapular rash that appears on the skin. The rashes are red and raised above the skin level. The rashes are often small, pimple-like. They can be hot to the touch, itchy, and painful, depending on their location on the body.
Drug interactions are one of the most common causes of these rashes. The rash occurs because the body is unable to process the drug properly or is sensitive and develops an allergic reaction. A reaction most commonly occurs after starting treatment with antibiotic drugs. Adults more often suffer from a rash due to a drug reaction because the body cannot tolerate the introduction of foreign materials. In many cases, a rash occurs as a result of a drug reaction due to a conflict with other drugs that causes a sensitivity to develop that did not previously exist.
Morbilliform rashes can also be caused by a virus. In children, rashes that develop from viral infections are common. The virus can usually be identified. Roseola and rubella are commonly identified viral diseases in children. With rashes in adults with viral infections, the virus usually can’t be identified and the rash is called nonspecific viral measles eruption.
Bacterial causes are another possibility. Exposure to bacteria causes the immune system to respond. One of the symptoms that is possible with bacterial infections is a morbilliform rash. The body is exposed to the bacteria, the immune system tries to defend the body, and a wide variety of symptoms occur. This type of rash often occurs first on the chest or arms and can spread further as the body continues to defend itself against bacterial invasion.
Treatments for morbilliform rashes differ. The underlying cause of the rash needs to be identified and treated. Many doctors combine treatments for the condition causing the rash with treatments to relieve the symptoms of the rash as well. Corticosteroids, either oral or topical, are effective in reducing inflammation and itching. Antihistamines are also commonly used to treat these rashes.
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