A.B. asks from Defiance, OH on April 12, 2008
Help with 3 Year Old "Rash"
Hi ladies. I am hoping to find some other mom's out there that have gone thru what I am right now. My 3 year old daughter developed a rash back in October. The doctor said that it was a petechial rash, and ran a series of blood tests. Everything came back great! He said it was just a virus and would go away in a couple of months. They did start to fade and some disappeared.....well...it would appear that some are coming back again. She still doesn't have nearly as many as she had a few months ago, but they are still there, with new darker ones popping up. Other than this issue she is a picture of health (active, no fevers, eats well, etc). It's also been a lot longer that two months. Not that I should care what others say, but it is getting old having people ask me what's wrong with her...or is she contagious! And now, with preschool around the corner, i'm really wanting these off of her. The spots are small, reddish pink in color and under the skin (you can't feel them when you touch her). It was explained to me that they are tiny blood vessels that have popped. I plan on taking her back to the doctor this week. Anyone else go thru this? Any information would be greatly appreciated :)
So What Happened?™
I'd like to thank everyone for all the great advise...I have a lot of things that I can now discuss with her doctor, to see if we can finally get to the bottom of this. I should have stated in my original post that her platelet count was 400,000, and I was told that was good, she also did see a dermatologist, but we had no luck there either. I will keep you posted on what happens.
I am SO greatful to this site...it's nice to know that when you feel you are the only one going thru something, you find others going thru it or that have gone thru it. It's really made me feel much better...so again, thanks to all of you!! :)
Featured Answers
A.H. answers from Cleveland on April 16, 2008
I don't think it's the same thing but my 2 yr old daughter has had hives for over 3 months. She is now on an antihistamine which has helped. I just wanted to commiserate with you about people asking what's wrong with her. It makes me feel so bad and my daughter seemed to start to be bothered by it also. I hope you get some answers from the doctor.
A.B. answers from Columbus on April 15, 2008
I took a foster child to the doctor when she was like this, she was scraching a lot. He tried to tell me it was nerves and that she wasn't adjusting in my home. I wasn't satisified with his answer so I took here to another doctor. He took one look at her and said she had the scabies. He gave me some medicine and that took care of it. Scabies is very contagious. Then it could be the soap you are using to wash her clothes in or bathing her with, I have had this problem also. A. B.
More Answers
L.J. answers from Cleveland on April 14, 2008
My daughter had the same exact thing when she was 2, she is three now and no longer gets them. they went away on their own... they looked like little " hickeys".... they were on her legs, tummy,back, neck & face.
We also had the blood tests. I guess sometimes these can mean a problem with the blood clotting & were told to just keep an eye on them & all her tests came back normal.
Our's went away all on their own.. hope that helps.
D.I. answers from South Bend on April 14, 2008
My 4 yr. old had a similar issue. I took him to the doctor and he was diagnosed with folliculitis which is a bacterial infection of the skin. The doctor prescribed an antibacterial soap for me to use on him. Within a few days he was fine. I had to bathe him 3 times a day with this soap. Ask the doctor if he or she may think it could be folliculitis.
D.
I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7 and 4.
P.B. answers from Canton on April 14, 2008
I, personally, have never gone through that, but know someone who has. My advise to you is to do what she did and take your daughter to a specialist (dematologist). If they are the same thing my friend had with her son, they should be able to help you.
N.N. answers from Columbus on April 14, 2008
Hi A.,
I had this same thing when I was in 7th grade. I had broken my arm and was taking aspirin for a few days, then turned up with this rash. My mother took me to a dr. for the rash and many test later we found out that it was an allergy to salicilates(medication in aspirin). It was causing bleeding under my skin. To this day I can't take aspirin or any other medication with salicilates in it and am not supposed to give blood. You may want to think about what she has been eating recently or taking and ask your ped. if this is a possibility.
D.T. answers from Cincinnati on April 14, 2008
Hi A.,
This rash is fairly common, but as it is returning I'd sure want further tests run. ( do you have a pediatric hematologist? )I get petechiae because of an autoimmune disease, but there are other causes as well. I'm including a link for you, so you can see some of the causes. I am glad that she is returning to the doctor this week. Good luck and if I can be any help, I'll sure try. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/petechiae/HQ01208
Hugs,
D. T.
A.A. answers from Cleveland on April 14, 2008
I may be late getting this to you but I hope that I can help. Yes it is a petichial rash and I had one when I was 9 yrs old. IT was not fun the amount of testing they did for me. It turns out my platelet count was really low, they had to do a blood marrow test - stick a needle in the bone to retrieve marrow to see what was happening. It could have been one of 2 different auto immune diseases. Please take your daughter to a different doctor. These rashes are not something to take lightly!!! I urge you to get another opinion.
C.B. answers from Lafayette on April 14, 2008
my son has a similar rash, only his you can feel. his doc says that it's from playing outside in the grass. they fade in the winter but as soon as spring roles around they're back & with a vengance..lol. his doc gave us an ointment type cream to put on them & said to cover it with bandaides to help it work longer. people look at him funny with his legs plastered in badaides during the sumer when he wears shorts, i usually don't say anything until i hear them whispering & see the fingers pointing to my son..i just inform them that it's just a rash and the bandaides keep the meds on him longer...if they get really snoody about it i grin & tell them they better run or they'll get it too....i know it's not nice, but i can handle the finger pointing and snickering but i won't tolerate someone being ignorant to my son. hope it helps.
T. answers from Dayton on April 14, 2008
I would see a dermatologist. Pediatricians are good at diagnosing acute rashes but you made need a dermatologist who specializes in something called "medical dermatology". I would probably see Dr. Heffernan at Wright State dermatology. He trained at Stanford and is very good at diagnosing unusual things.
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