Rash, chicken pox...anyone?

GalLaura

Hi ladies, My LO was diagnosed with an ear infection/virus on Friday. On Saturday, he had a light rash on his face, arms and legs. I took him back to the doctor but she was literally 1.5 hours behind schedule. While I was waiting, the rash went away. I thought maybe it was a heat rash since it was super hot out. I chatted with the receptionist and she said I could always come back tomorrow if needed. Literally there was nothing to show the doc. Today he wakes up around 5 am after getting up several times last night. The rash has now come back and progressively gotten worse. He is also clammy. He is napping now and the doc opens in 30 minutes. My DH thinks it's chicken pox. I think it's a reaction to the antibotics but it's not hives. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

kelly422

I agree, post a pic.  

The rash you're describing doesn't sound like chicken pox AT ALL. Chicken pox has a very classic rash and definitely doesn't come and go.  Google images of chicken pox  

CoffeeBeanFiend91

It's not chicken pox. Heat rash is possible.

GalLaura

My iPhone is filled and can't take a pic. I'm on my way to doc now. I feel like it must be from the medicine but it's not hives. I'll let you know what happens.

momofcatan

My DD had the exact same thing this week after getting over a fever/cold. FIL thought it was just part of the illness she already had, I know someone else on here had a LO with a viral rash. DD's went away on its own after 24-36 hours and was always worse when she just woke up.

ETA conicedentally I was also worried in the back of my mind that it was chicken pox

WasNotWas

Ty got the same thing with an ear infection. Turns out like 80% of ear infections are viral (according to our pedi) and the rash is a symptom. Keep an eye on it but there is nothing to worry about it until you see quarter sized splotches.

ASmallWonder

Rashes are a normal part of a virus.  Doesn't sound at all like chicken pox.

GalLaura

So we went to the doc and he's saying it's hand, foot, mouth virus. He told me to stop the antibiotics because his ears have cleared. I took him this past week to swimming, something called the magic bus with kids and lots of toys to share.

He said it's common but still freaks me out

ASmallWonder

Bummer  But am I reading it right that you got antibiotics on Friday and one day later because the ear looked better (as they should), the doc told you to stop them?  Or was he on the meds over a week?  If it was a day, I side eye your pedi hard.  That's a great way to end up with antibiotic resistant ear infections.

kelly422

Yep both me and J had Hand, Foot Mouth a week ago! J still has blisters on her hands that are healing.

I would also agree with @elmoali‌ about the antibiotics. If the ear cleared that means they're working and you should definitely finish the course. The most antibiotic resistant bugs are killed last so if you stop now, those bugs are the ones who will stick around. This is why they always tell you to finish your antibiotics even if you're feeling better!

GalLaura

I grilled him about the antibiotics too. He was still concerned that it could be a reaction. He said normally you are supposed to finish the antibiotics but under a doctors supervision it's okay to stop. I still don't feel 100% about it but trying to believe the doctor knows best.

@kelly422 did you just have blisters on your hand and feet? What other symptoms did you personally have.

My lo has red dots all over his legs, face, buns and even a few on his back and belly. They aren't blisters yet just red dots. I'm feeling exhausted and have aches and chills but no red marks.

kelly422

I was super sick with high fever, body aches, awful sore throat and nasty looking tonsils with sores on them. After that all got better I got tiny painful dots on my palms and soles.

J got blisters on her hands and feet but she also got them on her face by her mouth and a couple on her butt. She also had a diffuse rash all over her body. She also had a fever but I didn't see anything abnormal inside her mouth.

kelly422

Also, stopping antibiotics because the ear looks better is a completely different explanation than stopping because of a possible allergic reaction. Which is it? Or which did the doc say was the case?

ASmallWonder

kelly422 said:

Also, stopping antibiotics because the ear looks better is a completely different explanation than stopping because of a possible allergic reaction. Which is it? Or which did the doc say was the case?

This.  I mean, first you said it IS HFM and the doc had you stop the meds because the ear was better.  If he was so sure it's HFM, where did the suspicion of a reaction come from?

GalLaura

The doctor said both reasons to me which is why I wrote both here. He also told me to hold on to the antibiotics just in case. His ear is better as I wrote, but he was only on the meds for 3.5 days.

In addition he was on the same antibiotic one other time with no reaction but has allergies. I told this to the doctor as well.

He said since the dots were on his feet it was hfmd.

kelly422

@GalLaura said:

He said since the dots were on his feet it was hfmd.

What part of his feet - tops? Soles? Anything on his hands?

GalLaura

Soles of feet and nothing on the hands. He is looking much better today. The red marks never turned into blisters. They just stayed as red dots.