What Does A Meningitis Rash Look Like On A Baby. Although a rash is the best-known symptom of meningitis it only usually appears if the illness has developed into septicaemia NHS 2016 Tidy 2017. The darker the skin the harder it is to see a septicaemic rash so check lighter areas like the palms of hands and soles of feet or look inside the eyelids and the roof of the mouth. What does meningitis rash look like. Usually the rash is not raised so the skin is unlikely to feel rough or bumpy.
The hands and feet may feel cold. As the leaks of blood get bigger the spots can change into larger red or purple blotches like bruises and blood blisters. This can cause a faint skin rash that looks like tiny pinpricks. Using the glass test on a rash that appears on someones skin will help you to determine whether the rash is a medical emergency or not. It can be visible on any location of the body. At first the rash may be mild and subtle but it can spread to larger areas of skin.
Look out for tiny red or brown pin-prick marks which can change into larger red or purple blotches and blood blisters.
A rash that does not fade under pressure can be a sign of meningococcal septicaemia meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis and septicaemia. A high temperature fever - but the baby may not look hot and the skin may look pale or blotchy or turn blue. The rash usually starts as small red pinpricks before spreading quickly and turning into red or purple blotches It does not fade if you press the side of a clear glass firmly against the skin The rash can be harder to see on dark skin. Meningococcal bacteria reproduce in the bloodstream and release poisons septicemia. What does meningitis rash look like. Look for small spots on paler parts of the body such as the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.