Doctors see spike in viral rashes

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Lynn Salman enjoys taking her grandson Bennett to the park every Thursday.

"I'm always watching him and trying to make sure I do the best I can for him," Salman said.

And while they both get exercise at the park, it falls on Salman to be aware for the pair, especially now with a simple change of season and slight weather warm up.

That's because the rise in temperature is bringing with it more cases of viral rashes into pediatrician offices.

At one DeKalb County playground, Channel 2's Wendy Corona found Hunter Dodson, who is fighting a rash now and is kind of shy about showing it.

"There are some viruses that we tend to see in warmer climates," Dr. Anna Kuo of Peachtree Park Pediatrics confirms.

Kuo likened the viral rashes as common as the common cold especially in infants and toddlers.

"Typically they have some cold-like symptoms and some fever and normally what brings the parents in is the appearance of a rash," Kuo said.

And just like a kid at a playground, the rash also needs to run. Viral rashes run a course of seven to 10 days with no cure and no antibiotic to help it go away.

To avoid a rash and bringing dirt and germs into the home, Salman takes precautions with Bennett that help.

"We take everything off and put it in a pile to be laundered later," Salman said.

Kuo said the most simple thing anyone can do is also the best.

"The best we can do as parents is wash their hands frequently and wash our own hands frequently," Kuo said.

Infants and toddlers are more susceptible to picking up these types of rashes due to lessened germ control.

"There's really not much you can do to prevent it except to try to keep your kids germs to themselves," Kuo said.

And while pediatricians are noticing more viral rashes in their offices, they said not to worry, the viral rashes do fade on their own.

After winter viruses, doctors expect to see a rise in allergies with the spring pollen buildup around the corner.

WSBTV