A Dr. Mom question

[Beth]

I'm usually a pretty good dr. mom and detective, but I'm perplexed about a rash my younger son keeps getting. It has been occurring off and on, sometimes once or twice a day and sometimes not for a number of days. It starts with bumps that look like an ant bite and then spread into a finer, somewhat bumpy, really red rash that apparently itches like crazy.

The first couple of times happened at school and the nurse put caladryl on the rash, gave him benadryl and it cleared up. Happened 2 or 3 days in a row, then the next time was several days later at home -- at night. He had the worst outbreak so far this morning after taking the dog for a walk. It often happens after he has been outside, but not always. I cannot think of anything new (detergents, soaps or anything), and new or different foods -- anything to relate this to.

I figured we might never figure out what was causing the rash, but as long as benadryl was taking care of it, I didn't worry about it. I got a little concerned that it was so bad today. I was thinking it was Saturday today (spring break, son home with mono for 2 weeks before and DH off and on work so that I am lost on days of the week), so I didn't even check to see if the doctor could see him.

Does this sound like hives? I had hives once or twice when I was younger, and I don't remember it that well, but I thought it got larger bumps -- almost like blisters. Are there variations on the theme? Any ideas on how to try to figure out what it is? Or just hope that it is something pollinating and it will be gone in another week or two?

[colleency]

Does he get the hives when you scratch a fingernail across his skin? If so, he could have graphadermia: hives that they can't determine the origin of. My husband developed it about 12 years ago. There's no no cause. Unfortunately, there's no known cure either.

DH's gets much worse when he exercises, but it happens when he's just sitting there, too.

[wallycat]

Is he getting it in the same place all the time or in different areas?

It almost sounds like contact dermatitis of some sort.
I get that when wool (sadly, even cashmere) touches my neckline.
One year, I developed the oddest little red bumps that seemed to pop up at random. I finally deciphered it was a new body lotion I started using. When I stopped using it, the bumps stopped.

I know some people develop eczema with huge temp. changes too.

Good luck. Post back when you find out what it is. :)

[Beth]

Not eczema -- I've seen that.

It seems to start in different places -- sometimes on his chest, others on his hands, arms or legs --even feet. I think he did get welts from scratching once or twice. Is that the hive part I am thinking of?

[vbak]

Beth, hives are large raised welts. They don't look like a rash at all.

Vicky

[luvItalian]

I can think of 2 experiences we have had. My DD breaks out in a small rash at the onset of allergy season. This started when she was 7. Claritan took care of that. The other time is when I touched raw wood then touched my skin. I developed a rash like symptom unfortuetly on my face. It happens where ever I touch first after coming into contact with raw wood. However, benedyrl did not help. Just 2 thoughts I had. Good luck, at least something is helping.

[sharhamm]

Maybe flea bites?

[Beth]

Maybe flea bites?


Nothing like that. I have seen those before, and we haven't spotted any fleas on the cats or the puppy.

I think it will be one of those things where we just don't know for sure, but I think I may take him in to see the doctor just to make sure we aren't overlooking anything. I took some photos of the rash lastweekend when we really couldn't take him in (i can't believe I am so goofed up on days, but it's kind of like I'm stuck in a perpetual weekend mode :rolleyes: ).

Of course, this started near the time the older son was diagnosed with mono. I read mono as well as strep can have a rash, but since the school burse had seen the rash, I asked her about that and she said it didn't seem like either of those sorts. I'm glad benadryl helps.

[rosie_one]

I get a rash like what you are describing on the insides of my knees and elbows (of all the weird places) when I eat fresh pineapple or drink pineapple juice.

I'd take him in to the Dr. and see if they can do some allergy testing. Sometimes you can develop new allergies too. This is a time of the year that is really wet and so can be bad for outdoor allergies.

[Curry Cook]

ksjdhgirnf

[little_bopeep]

Beth, sometimes Rob gets a rash that comes and goes just like the one you describe. It usually pops up on the backs of his arms. It looks a bit like 5th disease did, but it goes away quicker than 5th did.

[cas]

Has he been on any antibiotics lately? My son gets a rash like you described after being treated with any antiobiotic that has penecillin in it. First time- we had no idea what it was from and 2 years later he was on antiobiotics and it happened again. Needless to say that doesn't take any pencillin anymore. Good luck figuring it out!

[Kristilyn1]

FYI--both my kids get a mild form of eczema and it looks COMPLETELY different on each of them. Also, just this year (I'm in my 30's) I've developed eczema and mine doesn't even look like a rash---it's just a big discolored patch on my leg, looks lovely by the way.

My oldest tends to get his eczema on his face and we've noticed it tends to flair up when he exerts himself. A little eucerin cream and a day later it's gone---maybe not to be seen again for days, weeks or months at a time.

Anyway, something to think about.

Kristi

[Beth]

DH was off today and took our son in after he came in from walking the puppyy and was worse than ever. We had him pop some benadryl and they took off while I called the pediatrician's office. As suspected, she said it was an allergy -- probably to the pollens in the air and that she is seeing more of it this year. She gave us a different antihistamine to try to try to prevent the outbreaks and to not keep him drowsy. I hope we can get a good wind and rain soon and wash some of this pollen away.

[Beth]

Hey, ya'll. Just in case anyone else is taking zyrtec for allergies -- you can be allergic to the zytec and make things worse. We woke up to welts this morning that were very different from the rash we had been seeing. Also, mayoclinic.com has zyrtec listed incorrectly, so it took looking a little further to find the correct information. Since zyrtec seems to be pretty widely prescribed for children, thought I'd mention it.

[rosie_one]

Oh man, sorry. Poor guy. Hope you find a better solution soon!