Slapped Cheek Rash
Type: Symptom
Definition
A bright red, confluent erythema appearing sharply on the cheeks of the face.
Clinical Details
Immune complexes form as the body generates antibodies against the virus, depositing into the superficial capillaries of the facial skin. This triggers a localized inflammatory response that makes the child's cheeks look as though they have been freshly slapped. The appearance of this rash coincides with the end of the infectious period.