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Children's health

Is this common with a fever?

14 replies

fluffacloud · 19/04/2013 19:07

DD2 (11mo) has had a fever for almost 24 hours, at its highest it has been 39.1 but its generally at 38.6.

She's been understandably clingy and a bit tired all day. She's eaten almost nothing and has a very runny nose and a bit of a cough.

Anyway, as per my thread title, the question is does anybody elses DCs get blue/purple mottled skin, blue (and cold) hands and feet and nail beds when they have a high temperature?

I got her out of a tepid bath (to try and reduce fever before bed) and she looked awful.

I'm aware of the fact that these could, in some cases, be symptoms of meningitus but she doesn't seem ill enough for it to be that.

TIA

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BasicallySFB · 19/04/2013 19:09

Doctor, now.

Probably normal but NOT worth the risk.

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BasicallySFB · 19/04/2013 19:11

OUt of Hours / 111 / NHS Direct at this time of night.

Sure all is ok but those symptoms need looking at by a medic.

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brainonastick · 19/04/2013 19:12

Yes, dd2 does. Not to worry, just a sign that their systems are under strain. If the extremities are freezing though, and they seem really bad, then worth seeing or calling the doctor. Calpol/calprofen and lots of fluids.

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noblegiraffe · 19/04/2013 19:14

Pale/mottled skin and cold hands and feet are on the leaflet in front of me as symptoms of septicaemia, along with fever.

Get her seen.

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brainonastick · 19/04/2013 19:18

See, this is why shouldn't ask an online forum! We can't see your child, we have only personal experience to go on, and have no medical training.

You know your child, if you are at all worried, call the doctor.

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brainonastick · 19/04/2013 19:21

Alo, if you've given her a tepid bath (not recommended any more btw), wait until she warms up before you judge how she looks. You don't need to do anything for a temp apart from some medicine if needed and not overdressed.

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sandycloud · 19/04/2013 19:26

This happened to us a few years back. We phoned NHS direct who called an ambulance. Get some advice. Blue extremities can mean that blood is not circulating properly. Hope everything ok.

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fluffacloud · 19/04/2013 19:42

Thank you all.

I gave her nurofen instead of calpol as I have been and while still hot, she has 'pinked up' nicely and has just gone off to sleep.

I know that the symptoms sound awful, but if I thought for a moment that she was seriously ill I'd be flapping about at A & E about now

BIL is a Paramedic and will be here to check her shortly, just in case.

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4nomore · 19/04/2013 19:46

Just to say that my kids used to get blue extremities with fever (it's cos the body is trying to raise its core temperature and blood in the extremities will not aid that). But y'know... watch and be a bit wary if it's not happened before

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fluffacloud · 19/04/2013 19:48

brainonastick thank you for advice about the bath - it was on the warm side of tepid but it might have forced a shock effect. I won't be doing it again, that's for sure, it scared the hell out of me at first!

Calpol usually works well for both DDs, but it hasn't done much this time - nurofen seems to be the way forward.

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brainonastick · 19/04/2013 20:23

Handy BIL to have! Hope you/she has a good night.

(ps in case you're not aware, you can give both Calpol and calprofen of you need - very handy to alternate 3 hourly when they are really ill and the medicine doesn't last the 6 hours. We're on plague watch here as well!)

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Badvoc · 19/04/2013 20:29

Glad your bil is coming!

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LoveSewingBee · 19/04/2013 20:34

Cold hands and feet whilst fever is climbing is not unusual. However, bluish skin, mottled skin are danger signals.

How is her breathing? Hopefully your BIL can also check her oxygen levels.

If in doubt, take her to A&E. I would think it is better to go once too often.

Also, as others have already said, tepid baths are no longer recommended. Best to give calpol or calprofen and light or no clothing with a thin sheet and regular drinking or sipping water etc.

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fluffacloud · 19/04/2013 22:07

BIL has checked her over, he's suggested OOH for the morning. As she's had the cold for more than a week the temperature may be a result of a secondary infection most likely ear or throat.

It's going to be a long night - it seems that she's trying to get her daily intake of calories with breast milk!

Wishing you all a restful (and plague free) night