Most mild cases of scarlet fever go away in about a week without treatment.
However, you are advised to get treatment as this will speed recovery. There is also a higher risk of complications from scarlet fever if you don't have treatment.
Most people recover around four to five days after starting treatment.
Antibiotics
The most common treatment for scarlet fever is a 10-day course of antibiotics. This will usually be penicillin taken by mouth. For people who are allergic to penicillin, the antibiotic erythromycin can be used instead.
Stay at home for at least 24 hours after you start treatment.
Symptoms usually go in a few days if the antibiotics are taken properly. The whole course of treatment must be finished to make sure the infection is fully cleared.
The fever will normally disappear within 12 to 24 hours of starting antibiotics.
Other treatments
Other ways to treat the symptoms of scarlet fever include:
- drinking plenty of cool fluids, especially if you do not have much of an appetite
- keeping the room cool
- taking paracetamol to relieve aches and pains and bring down a high temperature
- using calamine lotion to relieve itching of the rash
