How do I know it is chicken pox? Is it obvious?

[springerspaniel]

DS - 11 months had one big red spot on his chest about three days ago. Today about 20 appeared on his back and two on his face - those on his face are quite pale pink, those on his back are quite small and reddish. He has been out in the sun and has been playing on the grass and by a river today so could be bites. Chicken pox is around a lot at the moment. Is it chicken pox - how do I tell? I know about the blister thing but I can't really tell. Is it obvious? Do you go to the GPs to confirm?

[MamaG]

I'd take him to the Drs to be sure, then it is in his medical records that he has had it.

My children had chicken pox about a year ago and IIRC they were pale pink to start with and got redder and smaller - they didn't look like proper blisters, but went a bit crusty.

Is he hot?

[springerspaniel]

He is hot but he also has an ear infection at the moment and it is really hot!

[MamaG]

Poor little thing. Is he crying a lot? Do they seem to bother him?

It sounds like it to me :(

I htink you can get a calamine cream which will soothe, prob better than lotion

[pecka]

Both of my kids have had it in the last month. I think with chicken pox the blistering looks like clear little bubbles on the spots. You will soon know for sure as they will continue getting lots more and they will start scabbing

[brimfull]

chicken pox can take a dya or two to blister,don't think you need to see a dr unless they're really unwell.

[springerspaniel]

Oh sh*t. Was with a pregnant friend today. Must ring her now.

[psychomum5]

sounds like it. Chicken pox normally starts with just one spot, then about two/three days later the rest start coming. As docs aren't likely to be open over wk/ends and chicken pox isn't deemed serious enough for d/doc (out of hours docs), I would, to be certian, take him to see a pharmacist tomorrow morning. you can then buy all the neccessary items needed.

HTH:)

[springerspaniel]

Thanks guys. Will see how he looks in the morning.

[claireh11]

btw chicken pox is ok for pregnant women unless they havent had it before which is quite rare.

Hope he is feeling bit better today

[VickyA]

MY GP said he prescribes cetirizine liquid to relieve chicken pox itching (my DS was already on it due to hayfever - he hardly itched at all). I also got Eurax lotion from the chemist - similar to calamine lotion, but white, so less disastrous on clothes!

[melrose]

Sounds like it, my DS has it too at the moment, he developed first spots on sat and gradually more have appeared, first ones now scabbing over. No point going to the docs as v little they can do othert than tell you to put calamine lotion on and give calpol if feverish/unwell. Contagious until all scabbed over.

Re: pg friend, only really a risk if they have not had it, but if that is the case can damage baby between 13-20 wks and v last couple of wks. I know this as my pg friend had to check if it was OK to come to DS birthday party this weekend (she came, as did all his friends! parents seemed to have a well they have to get it at some stage attitude)

[melrose]

Sounds like it, my DS has it too at the moment, he developed first spots on sat and gradually more have appeared, first ones now scabbing over. No point going to the docs as v little they can do othert than tell you to put calamine lotion on and give calpol if feverish/unwell. Contagious until all scabbed over.

Re: pg friend, only really a risk if they have not had it, but if that is the case can damage baby between 13-20 wks and v last couple of wks. I know this as my pg friend had to check if it was OK to come to DS birthday party this weekend (she came, as did all his friends! parents seemed to have a well they have to get it at some stage attitude)

[Belo]

I'm expecting my little ones to come down with any minute so I've been reading loads of stuff on various websites. Apparently its common for it to bring on an ear infection.