How to Spot a Meningitis Rash (And What to Do Next)

Meningitis refers to an infection of the meninges, the membranes that surround and protect the spinal cord and brain. It may be attributable to a viral illness or certain bacteria. Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening emergency.

When bacterial meningitis results in sepsis (a blood infection), also referred to as meningococcal septicemia or meningococcemia, it may possibly cause a meningitis rash on the skin. A meningitis rash typically looks like pinpricks or bruises, which could also be red or dark purple. This rash doesn’t fade whenever you press a glass against it.

In this text, we’ll review the whole lot that you must know concerning the meningitis rash, including what it looks like, why it happens, and find out how to conduct “the glass test.”

Understanding Meningitis Rash

If Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, which causes meningitis, invade the body and bloodstream, they may cause an infection that damages internal organs and blood vessels. This damage causes the rash often related to severe cases of meningitis. This “rash” is broken blood vessels which might be leaking under the skin, which makes it look different from many other, more typical rashes.

What Does a Meningitis Rash Look Like?

Meningitis rashes can look very different from individual to individual, depending on their skin tone, how far their disease has progressed, and plenty of other aspects. Not all cases of meningitis result in a rash, nevertheless it is an indication that you simply or your child needs immediate medical attention.

A meningitis rash often begins as a “petechial rash,” meaning it causes purple or red pinprick-like spots on the skin. Later, it might change into a “purpuric rash,” which suggests it looks like large blotchy bruises, which could also be red, purple, or brown.

These spots can appear anywhere on the body, but they’re especially common on the legs, feet, and pelvic area. If the rash progresses, it may possibly extend to areas of the face, corresponding to the eyes, nose, and lips.

Meningitis rashes are harder to see on darker skin. You may give you the option to identify the pinpricks or blotches on lighter parts of the body, corresponding to the:

• Whites of the eyes
• Inner eyelids
• Soles of the feet
• Palms
• Stomach
• Roof of the mouth

At first, a meningitis rash is usually blanching, which suggests it turns white or lighter whenever you apply pressure to the realm. If the bacteria continues to spread and cause serious damage, it might change into non-blanching, meaning it doesn’t go away whenever you press it.

Other Meningitis Symptoms

In addition to a particular rash, people may experience the next symptoms of meningitis, including:

• Fever
• Other skin-related symptoms, corresponding to skin discoloration or mottled skin
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Cold extremities
• Nausea
• Disorientation
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Photosensitivity (light sensitivity)
• Lethargy (lack of energy)
• Seizures
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Chills

Symptoms in Infants and Children

Babies and young children can have different signs and symptoms of meningitis, corresponding to:

• Irritability
• Excessive, high-pitched crying
• Floppiness or stiffness
• Sleepiness
• Lack of responsiveness
• Lack of appetite
• A bulging fontanelle (soft spot) at the highest of the pinnacle
• Vomiting
• Slower reflexes

How a Meningitis Rash Is Diagnosed

It’s not all the time easy to diagnose meningitis immediately. If you will have a meningitis rash or some other potential symptoms of meningococcal disease, your healthcare provider will typically give you the option to diagnose your condition through tests, corresponding to:

Because meningitis is serious and even fatal, your healthcare provider must start treating you immediately. Meningitis may be treated with:

• Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections
• Anti-viral medications to minimize the length and severity of your illness (if you will have viral meningitis)
• Breathing support, corresponding to oxygen therapy, if you will have trouble respiration
• Surgery and/or wound care in case your skin has been extensively affected

Who’s at Risk for Meningitis?

There are several risk aspects which will put someone at the next risk for developing meningitis, including:

• Age, including being lower than 1 yr old, between the ages of 16 and 23, or over 65
• Having certain medical conditions, corresponding to asplenia (not having a spleen), spleen-related disorders, complement component deficiencies, or the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Taking certain medications, corresponding to Soliris (eculizumab) or Ultomiris (ravulizumab)
• Traveling often to certain parts of sub-Saharan Africa
• Having a job that requires you to work with meningococcal bacteria
• Living in a communal setting, corresponding to a university dorm, a shelter, or a military barrack

Long-Term Meningitis Complications

The most typical long-term complications of meningitis may include hearing loss or neurological damage, including brain damage and other problems with the nervous system. In severe cases, meningitis may also result in limb loss. If your meningitis rash spreads and blood vessel damage is extensive, oxygen may fail to travel to your extremities (legs, feet, arms, and hands) effectively. This may lead to tissue death and require the amputation of a number of limbs.

Other potential complications of meningitis may include:

• Vision loss
• Arthritis
• Kidney problems
• Seizures
• In children, problems with learning and behavior
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Problems with coordination and balance

Is Meningitis Contagious?

While meningococcal bacteria may be spread through saliva, meningitis isn’t often as contagious as other viral illnesses. You can catch meningitis through prolonged close contact with someone who has meningitis, corresponding to:

• Sexual contact
• Sharing personal and/or home goods with someone often
• Giving and receiving medical treatment

If considered one of your close contacts, corresponding to a sexual partner, member of the family, or roommate, has been diagnosed with meningitis, your healthcare provider may recommend that you simply take antibiotics even in case you aren’t showing any symptoms.

Vaccinations are also available to stop some varieties of bacterial meningitis. The haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine is given to infants and youngsters, and the pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines may be administered to each children and adults.

What Other Rashes Look Like Meningitis?

There are just a few other rashes that may be confused with meningitis, corresponding to:

• Other petechial and purpural rashes: Petechiae and purpura are all the time attributable to bleeding under the skin and within the mucous membranes. Petechiae are tiny, measuring lower than 4 millimeters (mm) in diameter; purpura may measure as much as 10 mm across. Meningococcemia just isn’t the one reason behind these skin conditions. They may also be related to viral illnesses like COVID-19, other blood disorders, the consequences of aging, taking certain medications, and more.
• Vasculitis: Vasculitis, which refers back to the inflammation of the blood vessels, may cause a form of purpural rash referred to as Henoch-Schönlein purpura.
• Hives: Hives are small, raised bumps that always appear in clusters across the skin. Allergic reactions often cause them, but viral illnesses may also cause them. Unlike petechial and purpural rashes, hives are typically itchy and swollen.

Even in case you aren’t sure in case your skin condition is attributable to meningitis, it’s best to hunt medical care immediately.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Early treatment is vital in relation to stopping serious and even fatal medical complications of meningitis. If you or your child develops a skin condition that appears like a meningitis rash, seek emergency medical help. Call 911 or go to the hospital immediately.

It’s vital to do not forget that not everyone with meningitis will develop a rash. Some people may not develop one, while others may need a milder version or one that appears atypical. Even in case you don’t have a rash, it’s crucial that you simply get immediate medical assistance in case you think you will have meningitis.

Summary

A meningitis rash is attributable to meningitis, which occurs when the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord get infected with meningococcal bacteria.

The rash is distinctive, often like clusters of pinpricks or large bruises. It’s typically a non-blanching rash, meaning that it maintains its appearance even whenever you press something against it. However, it may possibly present in many various ways.

Meningitis is a life-threatening condition. Call 911 or go to the emergency room in case you or a loved one develops a meningitis rash or some other symptoms of meningococcal disease.