Dengue Fever Rash

Dengue Fever: The Traveler's Enemy

When traveling to hot climes, mosquito bites and the problems they bring are a known hazard which where possible should be avoided. Dengue fever presents in two forms as ‘Dengue fever’ and ‘Dengue hemorrhagic fever’ which is a far more serious and often fatal form of the virus.

Unlike those mosquitoes which spread malaria and other common mosquito-prone diseases, the mosquitoes which spread Dengue fever do their work during the day, making it difficult for the traveler to avoid the risk of being bitten. Dengue fever is found commonly is cities, but is known to sometimes frequent rural locations.

Once bitten by a Dengue carrying mosquito symptoms can present anything up to two weeks after, the average however being four to six days. Diagnosis of Dengue fever is via blood test. Symptoms include:

• Severe fever
• Rash
• Muscle and joint pain
• Headache
• Pain behind the eyes

As these symptoms may be representative of other problems, the blood test would need to be carried out to make a firm diagnosis.

Dengue Fever Rash: One of the First Symptoms

The Dengue fever rash commonly presents a few days after the initial onset of fever. It is not uncommon for the rash to appear twice, once in the initial stages and a second time much later in the disease. Before the main rash appears the individual may experience a lesser rash which gives a ‘flushed’ appearance, on the face. There are three recognized Dengue rashes, often all appearing at some stage of the infection:

• Petecial rash – this usually presents as bright red dots clearly present on the skin surface. Usually found on the limbs this rash is as a result of bleeding under the skin surface.
• Bright red rash – in the second rash the skin becomes florid and bright red in appearance. The redness is dominant although there will be some ‘normal’ areas of skin which are unaffected.
• Lesions – the third rash may present as flat or raised red lesions on the skin. This appears as a far more obvious rash-like presentation.

The rash itself is often very itchy with great [Skin Irritation|skin irritation], and the areas of skin affected by the rash can peel. There is not specific treatment for the rash however soothing skin lotions such as Calamine lotion may be helpful to offer relief of the itching. At the stage when the skin begins to peel and is no longer red or sore the application of a simple non-perfumed moisturizer will assist the skin in returning to normal.

As with any skin rash it is essential to exclude other possible causes as there may always be a less sinister cause. Medical attention and advice should be sought, particularly when the rash follows a mosquito bite and is associated with foreign travel.

Treatment & Prevention

Treatment for Dengue fever in general is relatively basic. Medical professionals tend to treat each symptom if/when they occur. There too is currently no vaccine to prevent contracting the virus therefore preventative measures are recommended to those traveling to potential ‘risk’ areas. These measures include:

• Avoidance of travel to areas endemic to the disease - Certain countries have peak times of the year where Dengue carrying mosquitoes are high in presence, and some countries experience outbreaks, therefore finding out information such as this is essential before travel.
• Wear mosquito repellents – Most travelers to tropical climes will do this as standard. The use of repellents often cannot be stressed enough, and it is a simple measure which could avoid contracting serious diseases and viruses.
• Cover up – It is sensible to wear lightweight clothing which covers most of the body surface. Often in tropical areas where is it hot and humid, travelers neglect to do this and therefore put themselves at increased risk of bites.
• Nets and bedding – The use of mosquito nets and appropriate bedding fabrics can be a worthwhile preventative measure. In many countries where mosquitoes are common such things will be available as standard in hotels and hostels.

As with many illnesses caused by mosquito bites, adequate prevention of such problems can be sufficient to avoid contamination at all. Those traveling abroad to areas which may be potentially affected by such disease-carrying mosquitoes ought to do extensive research as to the possibility of risk when traveling.

View the Websites Listed Below for Further Advice:

• Fit for Travel
• Travel Health Advice
• Dengue Fever Advice