Recognizing Rashes in SJIA

Question: How do I differentiate an SJIA rash from other skin conditions?

A: Although the SJIA rash can look like nearly any rash, some things set it apart. A differentiating feature is [that] the rash of SJIA typically [accompanies] spikes of fever, which occur around certain times every day and tend to be most prominent on areas of increased warmth, such as under a child’s shirt.

Other things to watch for: 

• The SJIA rash fades quickly and moves around; it’s not fixed in one place
• You can bring on the rash by rubbing or scratching your child’s skin – something known as Koebner’s phenomenon

Theresa Wampler Muskardin, MD

Pediatric Rheumatologist

Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone Health