HELP! Tobias is covered in spots... what could it be?

[~breeze~]

I've just noticed his whole back is covered in spots & part of his front, not his face (yet?)

All the medical centres here you have to make appointments for & usually cant get in the same day, should I call them or take him to the hospital? Theres a doctor that does house visits but he's very busy & may not be able to come until tonight?

What do you think it could be? They're tiny spots all over his back & on the front its mainly down the bottom of his belly.

Has anyones child had this? Ihope its nothing major!!!
TIA

[~clover~]

I hope its just a viral rash hun, nothing seriouse, but I'd ring around the GPs, explain whats going on & hope someone can get you in today. They usually have emergency appts JIC.
If not I'd go into ER. Is he immunised?

[~breeze~]

yeah he's immunised hun. I just checked again & now its all over his front & all over his arms too I rang the medical centre & they cant get him in until 3:45pm! I'm gonna ring around & see if somewhere else will take him sooner...

Thanks for replying, I'm a worry wart because Brianna never had this happen to her

[~Kim~]

has he been sick - could it be a viral rash?
has he been exposed to something that he might have an allergy to?
could it be hand foot and mouth?
have you got a nurse on call phoneline up there?

[~clover~]

Cool, shouldn't be measles then.
What do they look like? I think they are spreading too fast for chicken pox. (DD2 had them at 6 months!)
He's not on any antibiotics or anything atm?

[SamiH]

Have you got a good pharmacist that would take a squizz for you??

If not, I would turn up to the medical centre and plead you just need a doc to look at them so you know what they are as you are um going away for a few days and want to know if he is contagious

[~breeze~]

I got an appointment at 1:10 at a different medical centre.

He's been unsettled & off his milk abit yesterday & this morning so may be a virus?
He's not allergic to anything as far as I know.
He's not on any medication.

Thanks for the replies ladies I'll let you know the diagnosis once we get home.

[Marlene]

Does he have a high temperature?


Sounds like it could be Roseola. Info below from "Better Health"

Roseola infantum

Roseola is one of the very common mild viral illnesses that can cause a temperature and rash in babies and young children (aged between six months and three years). Roseola develops around five to 15 days after contact. It usually doesn?t cause problems for the child, although sometimes it can make the child feel unwell. The high temperature and fine, raised, red skin rash can last from a few hours to three to five days.

Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of roseola include:

* The child develops a high temperature of up to 40?C (possibly higher), which usually lasts for a few hours, but may last three to five days.
* As the temperature falls, a raised, red rash appears ? first on the body and neck, and later on the face, arms and legs.
* The rash lasts from a few hours to one or two days.
* Roseola may also cause a fever without the rash.
* Children with roseola recover fully, usually within a week.

The virus is a member of the herpes family
Roseola is caused by one of the viruses in the herpes group, but this virus can?t cause other herpes infections, such as cold sores. It is not known how the virus is spread. Roseola is most infectious while the child is unwell ? from the start of the fever and including the time before the rash appears. Most children have been in contact with this virus by the time they are three years old.

Treatment options
Treatment for roseola includes:

* Treat a fever over 38.5?C with paracetamol, following dosage instructions for your child?s age and weight.
* Offer the child lots of water and drinks.
* It is best to keep any unwell child home from child care or creche for two good reasons: the sick child needs extra attention, and the other children at the childcare centre or creche shouldn?t be exposed to infection.

Possible complications
Roseola usually doesn?t cause any problems. Some of the complications may include:

* The rash can sometimes be confused with measles or rubella.
* Sometimes, roseola can lead to ear infections.
* The major problem is the possibility of febrile convulsions, as the child?s temperature may rise very quickly. Febrile convulsions are convulsions (fits) triggered by fever. They rarely cause any ongoing problems.
* Other complications of roseola are very uncommon.

See your doctor
If you are concerned about your child, always see your doctor for information, advice and treatment. You should always see your doctor if you are pregnant and your child, or someone else who you are in close contact with, has a rash illness. This is to make sure that you are not at risk of rubella infection or parvovirus B19 infection, as these can be difficult to distinguish from roseola without laboratory tests.

Where to get help

* Your doctor
* Maternal and Child Health nurse
* Your local chemist
* The Maternal and Child Health Line is available 24 hours a day Tel. 132 229.

Things to remember

* Roseola is one of the very common mild viral illnesses that affect children aged between six months and three years.
* The fine, raised, red skin rash and high temperature can last from a few hours to three to five days.
* The rash can sometimes be confused with measles or rubella.
* The major problem that may occur as a result of roseola is the risk of febrile convulsions triggered by the fever.
* Treatment options include plenty of fluids, paracetamol, rest and care at home.

[nic]

Danielle, hope you can get Tobias in to see someone sooner The number for QLD is 13health (13 43 25 84), we called them a month or two ago about DS, one night. they put me through to a nurse, who asks permission to start a file (don't know why?) ask a heap of questions and told me to take him to emergency.... At least by ringing them and describing what it looks like, they might be able to give you a few ideas?

eta: oops..see you just posted...

[~clover~]

Roseola is slap-cheek isn't it? DD1 had that at 18 months without the rash. Just red cheeks.
If thats what it is, he'll be ok pretty soon.

Goodluck at the doc

[Marlene]

Roseola is not the same thing as slap cheek, but very similiar.

Roseola is caused by a virus in the herpes group, Slap cheek is caused by by a virus called the human parvovirus B19. (not the same as the dog parvo, lol).

They have the same types of symptoms...Roseola is more likely to affect younger children, Slap cheek more likey to affect older children. Without testing, the doctor could tell you that the child has either of them.

ETA: Neither is dangerous to the child. Slap Cheek is very dangerous to pregnant women, if a child has slap cheek, you must inform their school in case there are any pregnant teachers working there, and keep them away from pregnant women. BUT...once the rash is out it's not contagious any more so the pregnant person has pretty much been put at risk before you even know the child has slap cheek.

[Footsteps]

let us know what happens dani - hope hes ok huni.
rach xxx

[tan32]

Hope he is ok,
sounds similar to what Lachlan had a couple of weeks ago and it was a virus and his bodys way of reacting to it.

[Doing my best]

when DD got the chickenpox, they were small spots that spread really quickly once they come out. (I was at work and DH was telling me on the ph how quick they were spreading).

She was really out of sorts the day before she broke out..

Hope the Dr gives you some answers..

[Early Kids]

Oh I hope he's ok and you can get him in somewhere.

If it were me I'd be straight up to the hospital, I dont take chance with anything these days.

[~clover~]

Hope all went well

Thanks Marlene

[~breeze~]

We saw the doctor & he said it looks like an allergic reaction to something. I put a little cows milk in Tobias' weetbix yesterday morning but thats all I can think of thats been different.
He just wont stop screaming, he fell asleep for about half hour (maybe less!) but thats it, he doesnt want to be held, he doesnt want to go to bed, he doesnt want to play, he just wants to scream.... its doing my head in! I know he cant help it & I wish I could take it away from him but sheesh.
I gave him some nurofen about an hour ago....

[~clover~]

Hope he settles down soon hun