scarlet rash

A child has a scarlet rash on their arms and chest.

Definition

1. Noun (countable/uncountable):
   • A red skin eruption: "scarlet rash" refers to a skin condition characterized by a bright red, widespread rash, often associated with fever and infectious diseases such as scarlet fever or roseola. The term is primarily used in medical contexts to describe the visual appearance of the rash.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The child developed a scarlet rash on her chest and back after the fever spiked. (A red, widespread skin eruption appeared.)
  • Doctors diagnosed scarlet fever based on the presence of a scarlet rash and a sore throat. (The bright red rash was a key symptom.)

Advanced Usage

• "a scarlet rash (of something)": used metaphorically to describe a sudden, widespread appearance of something (e.g., red marks or issues).
  • The scandal caused a scarlet rash of resignations across the company. (A rapid, widespread series of resignations occurred.)

Variants and Related Words

• Scarlet (adj): of a bright red color tinged with orange.

  • The sunset was a brilliant scarlet. (A vivid red-orange color.)

• Rash (n): an area of red, inflamed skin, often with small bumps or blisters.

  • She developed a rash from the new detergent. (An irritated skin area.)

Synonyms

• Red rash: a general term for any red skin eruption.
• Exanthem: a medical term for a widespread rash, especially one accompanying a disease.

Related Idioms

• "Scarlet letter": a mark of shame or disgrace (from Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel), not directly related to the rash but sharing the word "scarlet."
  • He wore his past mistakes like a scarlet letter. (A visible sign of shame.)