TESTING TIMES
The life-saving but super easy rash test every parent must know – using just your thumb
AN EX-PARAMEDIC has revealed a life-saving test that can reveal if your child is suffering a serious illness when they have a rash.
Nikki Jurcutz, a parent educator behind Tiny Hearts, said the easy hack could indicate they need to be seen by a doctor.
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If you press on their rash and their skin colour does not change, it might mean they have meningococcal disease — which can cause deadly septicaemia.
In a video on Instagram, she wrote: “This is a tool you should use next time your child has a rash.
“If the rash blanches aka the changes colour when pressed, this is a reassuring sign. Keep an eye out for any other worrying signs or symptoms.
“If the rash is non-blanching aka colour does not change when pressed, this could be a sign of a more serious illness such as meningococcal.
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“It would be a good idea to see a doctor urgently to get the rash reviewed.”
She added: “Remember, most children with a non-blanching rash who are well will not have a serious underlying cause.
“However, because it could be a sign of a seriously unwell child, it is a good idea to get your child checked.”
In the video, she presses on a child’s red skin on her face and the area under her thumb turns whiter.
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This means they did not need to see a doctor, she said.
Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis.
It can cause a range of illnesses including meningitis and bloodstream infections like septicemia.
Meningococcal septicemia occurs when the the bacteria get into the blood and multiply and produce poisons.
These attack the walls of the blood vessels so that blood leaks out causing a non-blanching rash.
Symptoms include fever and chills, fatigue, vomiting, and cold hands and feet.
Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest, or belly, rapid breathing, diarrhoea and in the later stages, a dark purple rash, can occur.
It’s important to get medical help as soon as possible if you think you or your child has symptoms, according to the NHS.
Treatments include antibiotics and oxygen through a face mask if there are any breathing difficulties.
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