Question

A 6-year-old boy presents a rash that started on his face then appeared on his arms. The rash on his arms is lacy in appearance. The child is well-hydrated, and afebrile. The most likely diagnosis is:

1) hand-foot-and-mouth disease
2) erythema infectiosum
3) herpetic gingivostomatitis
4) scarlet fever

Answer 1

The most likely diagnosis for the 6-year-old boy is erythema infectiosum, also known as fifth disease. The rash starts on the face and then spreads to the arms, legs, chest, back, or buttocks, and gradually becomes lacy in appearance as it recedes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely diagnosis for the 6-year-old boy with a rash that started on his face and then appeared on his arms, with a lacy appearance, is erythema infectiosum, also known as fifth disease. Fifth disease is caused by parvovirus B19 and is transmitted by contact with respiratory secretions from an infected individual. The rash in fifth disease often starts on the face and then spreads to the arms, legs, chest, back, or buttocks. It may come and go for several weeks and gradually becomes lacy in appearance as it recedes.