There are many health conditions that can cause a skin rash with vomiting, including allergies, food poisoning, and non-foodborne infections. Certain other diseases, such as Reye's syndrome and Addison's disease, can also cause these symptoms. Many of these conditions are potentially serious, so a person experiencing both symptoms together should see a medical professional to determine the cause.
allergies
One of the most common causes of skin rash and vomiting is a food allergy. People can develop allergies to a wide variety of foods, including nuts, dairy products, shellfish, eggs, and wheat. Symptoms include swelling of the lips and mouth, nausea, stomach pains, and diarrhea, as well as vomiting. The itchy rash that usually develops is also known as hives and tends to appear as large, flat, pink or red bumps.
Symptoms tend to develop rapidly, within just a few minutes or seconds after eating the trigger food. Most food allergies are not dangerous, especially in someone who has been diagnosed and knows what to do if a reaction occurs. However, in people with severe allergies, the reaction that occurs can be fatal. Dangerous symptoms can include shortness of breath, tightness in the throat or chest, dizziness, heart palpitations, and loss of consciousness. These are signs of anaphylaxis, which can be fatal if not treated right away.
Poisoned food
Many types of food poisoning cause the affected person to vomit, but not all cause a rash. One is called histamine toxicity, or scombroid poisoning, which develops after eating improperly stored or prepared fish. In addition to vomiting and a red rash on the chest and back, people with this illness usually have abdominal cramps and a headache. Most of the time, this reaction lasts only a few hours and is not life-threatening; however, the more fish eaten, the worse the symptoms will be.
infections
Meningitis is an inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the spinal cord and brain; It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, but bacterial meningitis is usually more serious than the other types. Although this infection can affect people of all ages, it is particularly dangerous for infants and young children. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, sensitivity to light, stiff neck, and headache, accompanied by a prickly or blister-like rash. The disease can also progress to cause seizures and coma. Anyone with these symptoms needs emergency medical treatment to prevent serious complications such as blindness, deafness, paralysis, and brain damage.
Toxic shock syndrome is a life-threatening infection often associated with tampon use in women; However, men and children can also develop this disease. The syndrome is caused by a bacterial infection with certain rare strains of Staphylococcus aureus either Streptococcus pyogenes . Symptoms include high fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, and headaches; As the infection progresses, mental confusion and seizures may occur. Those most at risk are women who are having or have just finished menstruating, and anyone with a burn, wound, or skin infection.
Scarlet fever usually develops as a complication of an infection by streptococci that occurs in other parts of the body, with strep throat being the most common. In addition to vomiting and rash, it causes muscle pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, fever, and headache. The rash is bright scarlet and appears first on the face, neck, and torso; often it spreads to the extremities. Medical treatment is required to prevent the development of further complications, which may include meningitis.
Other health conditions
Symptoms of Reye's syndrome are a severe rash on the hands and feet, severe vomiting, high fever, and lethargy; without treatment, it can progress to mental confusion, seizures, and unconsciousness. This disease can be triggered in a child or adolescent with a viral infection if they are given aspirin, although the condition is also known to develop in other situations with no known cause. Most adults who develop Reye's syndrome recover fully, but in children, it can cause irreversible brain and liver damage.
In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands cannot make enough of the hormone cortisol for the body's needs. Symptoms of the disease are usually mild and can be controlled with medication, and may include abdominal pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and fever, along with a darkening of the skin. People with Addison's disease are at risk of adrenal crisis, a life-threatening situation. Symptoms include severe fever, vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, and sudden pain in the abdomen and lower back. The condition can progress to mental confusion and loss of consciousness.
When to seek medical attention
Not all conditions that cause a rash with vomiting are serious, but some can be life-threatening. Anyone who experiences symptoms that worsen or do not go away after a couple of days should see their health care provider. If a child has these symptoms, your doctor should schedule an appointment right away, as many of these illnesses are more dangerous in children. In general, anyone with a very high fever, severe pain, or neurological symptoms needs emergency medical attention.