Rash on tum, back and forehead

[Polly D]

Our 13 month old woke up this morning with a rash all over his tummy, back and forehead. He had his 12 month jabs on Weds (Hib/Men) and had a temp that evening, which lasted 24-48 hours on and off. He's also teething, had the vomiting bug last week and generally been not very happy.

Stupidly we haven't done the glass test and now he's asleep and I am not going to wake him to do that, but pretty sure the rash fades momentarily when pressure applied.

Reading on the NHS Direct website, it sounds like it could be heat rash. But it's not exactly been baking lately; but could it be a result of the fever/jabs?

Bit worried but thinking it probably looks worse than it is, and doesn't really seem to be causing him much bother: no scratching.

We've not introduced any new foods/drink/washing powder.

If it's no better in the morning, I'll try and get a doc's appt but was after some reassurance from other parents that they've witnessed something similar!

[nunheadmum]

It could just be an non-specific viral rash - our little one gets them regularly after any kind of bug.

But if you've any doubts at all about it I'd recommend giving Seldoc a call. The receptionists can be awkward to get past but I've always found the doctors quick to respond to little ones and happy to give general advice over the phone if you're happy with that i.e. you don't need to want an appointment to give them a call (which if your little one is asleep, you probably won't want to drag them out).

Hope it's something simple!

[buggie]

Sounds pretty virally to me... checking it blanches (vanishes when you press on it) is the key thing - although it's worth remembering that with meningitis you would have a v v sick baby in front of you before the rash appeared.

Even with lil 'un asleep, should be easy enough to do as you only need to press gently.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

My little one had something similar a few times, usually after a bout of tonsilitis.

It was a strep. rash or scarlet fever which is not alarming as it sounds. Antibiotics quickly clear it up (it's not Beth in Little Women anymore!)

[Polly D]

Thanks guys. I don't want to cause panic here but doctor suspects Rubella, which is viral so no treatment other than Calpol and topical lotions for the rash.

So we are incubating.

[EDmummy]

Poor you. Sounds like you have really been through the wringer lately. I had rubella twice as a child and although I was older, it was quite a mild disease. The risk of rubella is, I believe, only to pregnant women so sadly incubation is the ticket. All the very best.

[kristymac1]

Hi,

My daughter had rubella at 13months (just before her MMR...). It was pretty mild and she was over it fairly quickly - my husband was a different matter - not having had it as a child he caught it and was really quite ill for around 2-3 weeks! Its definitely not good to be around pregnant women, so as EDmummy says best to get comfy at home for the next couple of days. Good luck x

[Polly D]

Update on the lad (in case any of you find yourself in this situation): temp is normal, rash has gone down loads after slathering him in calomine lotion - I recommend having a bottle in the med cupboard; it works wonders. He seems bit better but has now developed a cough and cold. Sleeping fine though, phew.

We're still in quarantine though and husband and I taking it in turns to take days off work. Is it really only nearly 10 o'clock, what are we going to do all day?!

Thanks all for support and kind words.

[KatsuQueen]

Hello PollyD, hope you are not going stir crazy. If you ever doubt that you are doing the right thing by staying in, don't doubt yourself. When I was pregnant, during the routine bloods I found out that I didn't have Rubella immunity. I did have the vaccination when I was young, but somehow it didn;t "work". Anyway, I was pretty stressed about it although tried to put the risks into perspective. Still scary when your read about all the things that can happen if you catch it in early pregnancy.....

Will have my Rubella vaccination soon!

edited for bad typing