Dr. Greene’s Answer: Scarlet fever is a colorful name given to
strep throat that comes with a rash. Before antibiotics were
available, this was a very scary infection. Now it is very easy
to treat, but still dangerous if untreated. It’s fairly common,
but many docs don’t use the words “scarlet fever” because that
term conjures up frightening images from the past. I see a child
with it about every two weeks or so. The rash usually feels like
sandpaper and is often most pronounced just around the armpits.