Toddler has a hot face and red cheeks, he's cool everywhere else. Normal or not?

[Quirkybutlovely]

I wouldn't usually worry about one-off things like this but with the pandemic I'm more cautious than usual.

DS has a hot face and red cheeks, he's not hot to touch anywhere else.

Typically the batteries to the thermometer have ran out so I can't get his exact temp tonight but he doesn't feel hot anywhere else but his face.

He's ok in himself.

I am my DM's support bubble and I'm due to see her tomorrow so due to that I'm worrying.

Is this just one of those things that can happen from time to time with kids or should I be concerned?

[bodgerboris]

How old ? Could it be back molars coming in ? My DS seems to get flushed cheeks from sitting with his face virtually on his iPad it's quite worrying how much heat that think throws out. It's is an antique one.

Feel his upper back does it feel hot too?

[Quirkybutlovely]

He'll be 3 next month.

His upper back feels a little warm but no warmer than mine (and he has been laid down on it)

I had covid in July and we don't know whether he caught it from me then (DH forgot to register the kids tests online so we didn't get their results back) so I'm a bit worried about anything that might indicate that we have that back in the house again and worried for my DM who was last here on Saturday

[FourDecades]

Could be slapped cheek virus

[Clockstop]

My toddler gets like this when the heating is on too long

[bodgerboris]

Well if he already has his back teeth then, it could be a virus, but doesn't mean it is Covid, but I would book a test ASAP incase. At least you know and if it is doesn't necessarily mean your DM will get it. It is just luck/ timing.

[User0ne]

I'd also wonder about slapped cheek; look it up on NHS website. Depending on age could be molars coming through.

See how he is in the morning and make a decision; if he has a fever you should be able to feel it (if you're honest with yourself) by feeling their chest/back which are more reliable than the forehead.

[Biscuitsneeded]

Slapped Cheek? Does it look like he's had too much sun? Be careful if around anyone who may be pregnant - otherwise, usually mild and calpol will see you through as far as I remember.

[grandmasterstitch]

Try kissing his forehead. If that feels hot to you lips he likely has a temp. This is my go to and then I get the thermometer if DS feels warm

[Quirkybutlovely]

I've read up on slapped cheek and it's certainly possible. He was last at nursery on the 15th, lots of children in close proximity for the Christmas party.

He got up out of bed tonight and it did look like he'd had too much sun yes. He looked just how he did in the summer when he'd spent a couple of hours in the garden.

As luck would have it DH has just this minute received a negative covid result via email (he is tested weekly through work, it's mandatory) so I've breathed a sigh of relief that it's unlikely to be covid.

Fortunately we don't have any pregnant friends or relatives.

[Quirkybutlovely]

@grandmasterstitch

Try kissing his forehead. If that feels hot to you lips he likely has a temp. This is my go to and then I get the thermometer if DS feels warm

I'll do that in the morning, thank you.

I did kiss him on the cheek and that was pretty hot. Bless him.

[Witchend]

Sounds like slapped cheek to me.
When dd1 had it it really looked like she'd been sunburnt in blotches all over.

It was only when dd2 came out with it, I realised as she'd had the more conventional red cheeks leaving round the lips paler.

It can cause very quick temperature raises, so watch out for that, as a quick rise can cause convulsions. If you can get a touch of calpol in while asleep (one of mine was great with that) then it might be a good idea.

[AlexaPlayWhiteNoise]

My DS used to go like that when teething. It was horrible. His face and head used to absolutely boiling and then he was fine everywhere else. Always at night time when I doubted myself more too.

[Quirkybutlovely]

His face is completely back to normal now, no red and no heat

[Quirkybutlovely]

I spoke too soon, it's back again.

Does this look like slapped cheek to you?

[Witchend]

Yes to me. He's got the very clear red then normal colouring round the mouth as far as I can see from the photo.

Keep away from other children and pregnant ladies (esp 2nd trimester) and calpol lots to keep the temperature down. You may find piriton helps a little (the redness is a allergy reaction, I think I was told)

[Quirkybutlovely]

Thank you Witchend.

He has autism and is non verbal so can't tell me how he's feeling unfortunately.

I will get some Calpol down him and try to get some piriton.

[Witchend]

Aw, bless him.
If it's any comfort, although both my dd s looked dreadful when they had it, and dd2 was exceedingly hot (she always did when ill) neither was particularly uncomfortable with it.