L.L. asks from Morgantown, WV on November 26, 2009
Need Advice on a Skin Rash
My son is 14 months old & last night in the hour between dinner & bath I noticed that he had a really distinct raised, warm red rash around his mouth where his binki had been. I assumed that maybe I hadn't rinsed it off well at the last washing & he was just reacting to soap on the binki so I cleaned him well in the tub & applied a lot of aquaphor. Went to bed & when he woke up this morning the rash was much worse (even though he spits the binki out after he is asleep) & his eyes were very swollen & red, warm ringed as well as his mouth. There is also a raised, warm red rash around his neck. There seem to be no other symptoms other than a very low grade fever. What I'm reading online makes me think it could be Rubella??!!! Any ideas fellow Mommies? Thanks so much! Nick's worried mama
So What Happened?™
I started out by trying to go to urgent care (closed) yesterday before posting this & tried to page my ped...the switchboard operator refused. Just got home from Med Ex & ER...they "think" it's scarlet fever but didn't see a derm NOR did they draw any blood. If anyone has a recommendation for a new pediatrician I think I'm in desperate need of one at this point. After 10 hrs at Med Ex & both ERs in town we still don't have conclusive results. They believe it is simply a bad rash b/c of a viral infection: thus it doesn't seem to hurt or itch although it looks TERRIBLE. We saw a real doctor who had actually seen scarlet fever before the 2nd trip & she is sure it's not that so I'm glad we didn't fill the antibiotic from the first ER. Also, when I left the first ER trip I called & asked to page the ped on call & AGAIN they refused!!! Can you believe that this would happen not once but twice...what if something more had been wrong with my son. I am beyond frustrated at this point & wish I could enact some change in hospital policy!
More Answers
A.P. answers from Pittsburgh on November 27, 2009
L.-please get him to the doctor today. This isn't something to mess around with.
M.K. answers from Houston on November 27, 2009
it could be impetigo - very contagious, needs antibiotics
J.R. answers from Philadelphia on November 27, 2009
I'm not sure what it is, but I would call the doctor. If its nothing they can ease your mind, otherwise they can see him or call in meds. Good luck!
D.W. answers from Philadelphia on November 27, 2009
Please call the doctors office. I would not mess with this and wait.
D.P. answers from Pittsburgh on November 27, 2009
I would switch peds immediately based on the fact that they refused to page the on call pediatrician. And I would let them know about it as soon as you CAN get in touch with them.
E.N. answers from Philadelphia on November 27, 2009
Dear L.,
I pullled this off the internet for you:
Diagnosis of Rubella
With the advent of vaccine protection for many diseases, including rubella, many of today's doctors have never seen cases of what were the common childhood diseases. If any of these diseases returns, there is a risk that the practitioner will not recognize it.
Since 1941, when a doctor first described the triad of deafness, cataracts and cardiac disease as the classical clinical manifestations of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), strong efforts have been implemented around the world to achieve effective preventive strategies
This is nothing to take lightly and I certainly would have it diagnosed properly by an MD.
The rashes, if they form a scab and the scab comes off pre-maturely, can scar. For an older infant, hopefully, his immunity will be good enough to "weather the storm", but I would take every precaustion to clean "anti-virally" everything that he touches or puts in his mouth.
This is no laughing matter around the holidays. Hopefully all will be well in a few days if your call is correct.
After reading your second comment, I hope that you have called the pharmacist who cannot diagnose, but may be able to help with your situation and, also, give you additonal options for your immediate situation.
Stay in control, L.. There are people who care. You might also call your 1-800# for a nurse that may be associated with your health insurance plan. She may be able to escalate the level of your situation and assist you further.
God Bless You and your family,
E.
K.C. answers from Philadelphia on November 26, 2009
Hi, L., I would call the doc right away. I'm not sure what it could be, but rash and fever, especially together, are on that list of symptoms that docs always suggest calling about. It might be nothing at all to worry about, but just in case, have your little guy checked out.
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