Many people are familiar with the so-called “tumbler test” or “glass test”, whereby a glass or other clear surface is pressed onto the rash. The 'glass test' can be used to determine if a rash is or is not a symptom of meningitis. The rash can be more difficult to see on dark skin, but may be visible in paler areas, especially the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, abdomen, or on the inside of the eyelid or roof of the mouth. Petechiae are 1 to 2 mm in diameter and commonly appear in clusters in areas where pressure occurs from elastic in underwear, nappies or stocking. Isolated and dispersed pin-prick spots may first appear, so it is important to search the whole body for small petechiae, or red and purple spots. If you, or someone you know, appears to be suffering from a rash of this kind, please seek medical help immediately. As part of the MRF helpline team, I have had a parent describe a rapidly evolving rash as “like someone using a biro to draw all over the skin”. A purpuric rash looks more like bruising, showing up as reddish-purple areas on the skin.Ī rapidly evolving petechial or purpuric ‘rash’ is a marker of very severe disease.A petechial rash looks like pin-prick red or purple spots on the skin, and can resemble flea bites.The rate of progression can also vary greatly. However, meningococcal rashes can be extremely diverse, and look different on different skin types. This rash can be one of the clearest and most specific signs of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia to recognise – hence why you have probably heard of it. As the blood vessels get damaged, blood starts to ‘leak’ into the surrounding tissue, often causing what looks like a ‘rash’ to appear on the skin. As this happens, the bacteria rapidly multiply and produce toxins which travel around the body causing damage to blood vessels and organs. Once the bacteria have invaded the back of the nose and throat, they travel through the bloodstream. Sadly we don’t yet understand why some people get ill from a bacteria that is harmless to most of us. These bacteria can be very common and are mostly harmless, but in some people this bacteria invade the body via the back of the nose and throat, causing severe illness and even death. Meningococcal bacteria in particular are the most common cause of the meningitis rash. Meningitis and septicaemia can be caused by many different bugs, including viruses and fungi, but most cases of severe meningitis and septicaemia are caused by bacteria. Information and Support Officer Katherine Carter explains more. However, the rash does not always appears in cases of meningitis, and the word ‘rash’ itself may be misleading. When we think of meningitis, we may think of the so-called ‘meningitis rash’ – a red or purple marking on the body which remains present when pressed with a glass.

Pinpoint red dots on skin arm