Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

What a week we have had. I am posting these pics of my son in hopes that somebody may have an idea that we have not thought of, and what could have been wrong with our son. Let me start out by saying we took him to the dr's 2x and he is on meds now.... so he is getting better, but it was really bad at one point. I'll try to make this short: 1x before my son broke out in hives, and the only thing we could think of was that he had a pretzel at the mall and maybe something was in it he was allergic to.
This was about 4 months ago.

This week, on Sunday he thew up in the morning and had a fever of 100.4.... on Monday he still had the fever and started breaking out in hives/rash, it seemed different this time. At one point his lips were swollen (he was breathing fine) but we called the dr at 11 at night who said to give him benadryl every 4 hours, and if he had wheezing to bring him to the ER. Luckily this did not happen. He had seen the dr that day and we were told he probably had coxsackie since he had a red throat with sores in it. Once he really broke out though, it seemed like it could be more.

We brought him back to the dr. on Tues and they sent him for bloodwork. Told us he probably had an allergic reaction to something. He had benadryl at 8:15 and went for the bloodwork at 11 (dr. didn't tell us we should wait, but now I'm wondering if the benadryl could have made a difference in the results).

Long story short, the rash got worse (I'm posting pics of it at almost the worst point) and they prescribed him a oral steroid. He looks almost 100% better, but is VERY cranky now (when the rash was at it's worst he was happy). Blood results were fine: white blood cell count fine, lead test fine, and for whatever food allergies I guess they could test, it came back fine.

In one breathe we are happy he doesn't have a food allergy, but could the tests come back wrong? Something had to be wrong with him. The only other thing that was different this week was that he started a med for constipation (glycolax), he started it on Friday and didn't break out until Monday. Dr's thought this could be it, but would it really take that long for the effects?

I'm not sure where to go from here. They just told us to watch what he eats and keep a log just in case it happens again. I'm scared of it happening again, only worse, and closing his airway. The first time this happened I asked the dr. if we could have an epi-pen in case of emergency, but they said no, it's not necessary since we don't know he has an allergy. After his reaction that was worse, I really feel I want this on hand, just in case.

So, my questions. Has anyone EVER seen a rash like this? Any ideas? Any friends who are dr's you can show the pic to and ask?

And finally, do you think I can demand from my dr. a epi-pen? As a parent, can't I request this since this was so bad? Thanks ladies. I've been so worried.

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Message edited 8/17/2006 8:48:27 PM.

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Poor baby!!!

Could it be scarlet fever?

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

OMG! Your poor little son! My DD broke out in a smilar rash just around her mouth and on her hands when she accidentally was given a cookie that had peanutbutter in it and my FIL thought it was just a regular cookie. But it went away quickly and was only limited to her mouth and hands since she didn't eat much.

Poor little boy. I don't know what it could be but do that it doesn't happen again!

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

My poor nephew! Every time I see these I want to cry! Please give him a big from Aunt Stacey!

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Ive gotten a rash like this twice..

1. When I had an allergic reaction to meds...

2. When I was 16- and had mono... What happened was the 1st Dr. I went to diagnosed me with some infection and gave me an antibiotic...(one that Im not allergic too) Well apparently when you have mono, and are given an antibiotic an allergic reaction can happen (not always but can)

Both times the rash was itchy- and whenever it was exposed to hot water it spread...

Even after the reaction and the itchiness was gone- the "rash" stayed on my skin... (like stained my skin) and slowly went away.....


Im sooo soo sorry!

I hope you get to the bottom of this soon!

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

IMHO - if it were my daughter - I would get a second opinion AND I would immediately contact your pharmacy and DR. again to ask if the meds he is on could cause this reaction.

I'm not trying to scare you - I just wouldn't take "I dont know" for an answer.

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

OMG Poor baby!!!! I have no idea what it could be but I wanted to say I hope he gets better soon and you find out what it is!

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Tough call, but IMHO, it looks like either a rash from Scarlet Fever or 5th disease (his back has a lacy appearance of a rash, but the close up of his face doesn't) or possible an ampicillin rash/antibiotic rash.

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

I feel so bad for him! I hope he feels better soon!

Did he see a dermatoligist? Maybe they would know what It might be.

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

I would check with another doctor as well as your pharmacist. It very well could be an allergic reaction to the medication. I hope he feels better soon.

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Thanks so much ladies. I was just reading up on scarlet fever, and fifth's disease and feel that it could be one of those. They both sound like they have similar symptoms.

When his rash first started, I said to my husband, I hope it's not fifth's (since his cheeks looked a bit red and I've seen it before in school)..... but I never thought it could get as bad as it did, but after reading up on it, it seems its possible.

I actually did call the pharmacy and was told that any medication could cause an allergic reaction, but nobody had ever gone to them to complain about the med my son was on, but it was possible.

Also, I actually saw 2 doc's at the practice my son goes to..... but both times he was there, the rash was different, it changed over the course of a day so many times.... maybe I can bring the pic to them (now that he is looking better) to see if they would have a different thought on it.

Thank you so much for the well-wishes! What a scary week it has been!

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

thank goodness, you said the rash is almost gone now, right? how old is your son??? did you put any kind of sunscreen on him?? how about bug repellant spray?? was he is a pool. maybe he is allergic to chlorine???

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Delaney had this EXACT same thing except on her first Christmas morning. The doctors believe it was an allergic reaction to Imoxicillian or Omnicef. I can't remember which one it was. This looks ALOT worse than it really is. Surprisingly, Delaney didn't even seem to be bothered in the least. We on the other hand were horrified. It took about 5 days to go away officially.

HTH

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Posted by mishy626

Thanks so much ladies. I was just reading up on scarlet fever, and fifth's disease and feel that it could be one of those. They both sound like they have similar symptoms.

When his rash first started, I said to my husband, I hope it's not fifth's (since his cheeks looked a bit red and I've seen it before in school)..... but I never thought it could get as bad as it did, but after reading up on it, it seems its possible.

I actually did call the pharmacy and was told that any medication could cause an allergic reaction, but nobody had ever gone to them to complain about the med my son was on, but it was possible.

Also, I actually saw 2 doc's at the practice my son goes to..... but both times he was there, the rash was different, it changed over the course of a day so many times.... maybe I can bring the pic to them (now that he is looking better) to see if they would have a different thought on it.

Thank you so much for the well-wishes! What a scary week it has been!

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Hi, Soo sorry this happened to you. I have a 2 year old daughter who is peanut allergic, and her 1st reaction looked like this- especially the face. If you give a child benadryl before a blood test, it will not affect the results, but if you give it before a skin prick test, it can. Also, it usually takes a few days to get all allergy tests back- some results are quicker than others. I would strongly reccomend that you go to an allergist and get a RAST blood test asap. Even if he didn't eat a food with peanut in it, it could have been cross-contaminated- or made in a plant that processes peanut foods or oils. You would be surprised at all of the foods that have peanut. Even if your doctor gives you the all clear, just for piece of mind- i would follow up with an allergist. Good luck

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

I think we will follow up with an allergist, although I don't know how well that will go since it was torture even getting the blood from my son. Regardless it is something that needs to be done. We did have the RAST test done and that was what came back normal. I'm so scared to feed him now, not knowing if the results were "true" or not, and if I should avoid any ingredients.

If it was a food allergy, can these rash/hives take awhile to pop up? Or is it usually immediate?

Oh, and I just looked up the med my son was on, glycolax, and found some more "side effects listed"....

What side effects may I notice from taking polyethylene glycol 3350? (Back to top)
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•diarrhea
•difficulty breathing (rare)
•itching of the skin, hives, or skin rash (rare)
•severe bloating, pain, or distension of the stomach
•vomiting

Stop taking polyethylene glycol 3350 and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) or severe diarrhea..

Seems like it definitely could have been the meds. Ugh! I wish we knew for sure already!


Thanks again ladies!

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

ur poor son, i hope he feels better real soon

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

OMG, your poor baby!!! You must be beside yourself. I hope you get some answers and relief for him soon.

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

your poor little pumpkin
I hope he feels better soon...

and Bella was a real bear on the steroids, it's very cranky-child inducing...her whole personality changed for the time she was on it....

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

I had something similiar as a teenager...same rash and it was due to an allergic reaction to a penicillin - based med (i am allergic).

poor baby!

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

Poor little guy - hope he gets feels better soon.

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

AWWWW poor kid I hope he gets some relief soon

Re: Pics of my son's HORRIBLE RASH: ever see this before? Any ideas?

first of all hugs for your poor son, I hope this clears up and mommy gets some answers soon.

And I have seen this once before only it was my DH about 10 years ago when we were away in the Catskills.
For no reason he broke out in the same full body rash/hives. He said he felt like his tongue may have been getting swollen (but no problem breathing) so I took him to the ER immediately (he wouldn't go but I made him) they said it looked like an allergic reaction and gave him a Benedryl shot, told him no hot showers and if it got worse to come back.

We never did figure it out, he has no known food or other allergies - we were picking up supplies at the supermarket and he took a potatoe chip sample they had... this was the only thing out of the ordinary.

I swear its these things that have no answers that make you the most worried.