ALT GIF. Measles: know the symptoms Cold-like symptoms usually appear before a rash, including: high temperature, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, cough, red, sore, watery eyes. The measles rash. A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms. The spots are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. They;re not usually itchy. he rash looks brown or red on white skin. It may be harder to see on brown or black skin. Spots in the mouth. Small white spots may appear inside the cheek and on the back of the lips a few days later. These spots usually last a few days. Call ahead. f you think you or your child have measles, call your GP surgery or NHS 111 first, before turning up at a healthcare setting. This will help stop the virus spreading.