Chickenpox?

[MaximumVolume]

Can anyone help me diagnose this as chickenpox or otherwise? All over torso, neck & a few on face & limbs.

They've been popping up since about 11am but don't have that characteristic yellow blister at the centre although a few have tiny yellow heads developing.

No temperature (yet) & he doesn't appear to be ill (yet). Thanks!

[Booboostwo]

How long has he had them? My DCs both had normal looking spots with chickenpox for the first 24 hours and only a couple of spots at that, but by day two the original spots had the tell tale liquid filled blister and there were a lot more new ones.

[ktmummy1]

I would say this looks like early chicken pox.

[MaximumVolume]

At the time I took the photo he'd had the first spot about 6hrs. He's been asleep since 6.50 so I don't have an update! I'll keep him of pre-school tomorrow until it becomes clear either way.

If he does have chickenpox, I guess it's a sure bet that the baby will get it? What's the usual time-lag between developing it? I'm thinking DH and I are going to be spending the next 2 wks sharing childcare as first one, then the other won't be able to go to nursery.

[Olivo]

I think the incubation period is 10 to 14 days. Looks like early pox to me too. My dd2 got it two weeks to the day that dd1 came down with it, and dd1 14 days after her friend at preschool. Seems to be the time of year for it! Good luck.

[Booboostwo]

My DD is just finishing having it for the second time! It's a monumental hassle but what can you do, it's very contagious and dangerous for some people. Hope he has a mild case.

[Livelifefortoday]

Hi, looks like the pox. My dc(4 and 1) have just had it. The 4yo caught it at school and 1yo came out in spots 3 weeks later. 1yo had it worse, apparently the younger often does as they are exposed to it for longer than first child. Piriton and calpol seemed to ease the symptoms and a warm cloth at night when really itchy. I found calamine lotion better than cream at night. Itching was only an issue for 2 nights (day 3-4) by day 5 they were much better. Think we were told to stay off school for 5 days but dc1 stayed off a bit longer as she still lethargic. Hope your dc don't suffer too much, the itching is pretty awful.

[MaximumVolume]

Livelife mine are almost the same ages as yours. Big one is 4 next month. We actually thought big one had had it very mildly 2 years ago (perhaps he did as booboo's poor little girl has had it twice.)

Thanks for the tips!

It's not more dangerous in kids with asthma is it? DS1 has brown inhaler daily and it's kept his breathing under control really well.

[MaximumVolume]

Thanks all! It's looking pretty certain that he has chickenpox. He's been in otherwise perfect health so far, however just started to get very upset about the itching.

We've been through weeks of entertainment ideas just today; it's going to be a long week!