Morbilliform rash

What it means

An exanthema consisting of widespread pink-to-red macules (flat spots of 2-10 mm in diameter) or papules (red bumps) that blanch with pressure. The macules and papules may cluster and merge to form sheets over several days.

A morbilliform rash is said to resemble the rash of measles, rubella or scarlet fever, thus mimicking viral and bacterial exanthemas.

Rare diseases that can present with this3

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category