Rash 10 days after cold and antibiotics

[muminlondon]

DD started with a cold 10 days ago. By the third day was very tearful with a temperature and green mucus from eyes and nose. The doctor said she had an ear infection and she was on antibiotics until Sunday. She seemed to be getting better but was still extremely clingy and whingey yesterday.

While on the antibiotics I noticed a rash on her tummy which came and went - patches of red which I put down to sweat rash.This morning (no longer on antibiotics) she had a much more prominent rash with larger slightly raised spots on tummy and back, and it's spread a little to neck and behind the ears. It looks like nettle rash, or spotty teenage skin (without any pus or blisters). She's been extremely irritable and seems itchy behind the ears, although has had moments of bouncing on the bed (isn't floppy). The rash disappears if you press a glass to it.

The doctor looked nervous, asked if she'd had the MMR (she has), and suggested it was either a non-specific viral rash or perhaps a reaction to the antibiotics. His colleague had a look as well and said it could be an allergy to something she ate (how much of a coincidence when she's had antibiotics for the first time and a virus?).

OK, whether a virus or allergy I can't do anything but wait, but how long for? anyone had this?

[muminlondon]

She's not quite 2 by the way.

[Lonelymum]

I had a rash as a reaction to antibiotics when I was 18. It was diagnosed as an allergy to the antibiotics though. Only trouble is, I had taken 2 types of ABs and it has never been established which one caused the rash. I have been told it is poosible to do tests to find out but no-one ever seems to want to actually do it. You could try asking if they could test your dd to see if she is allergic to ABs later when she is fully recovered, but don't expect to get anywhere. It could be important though. I have to stay off both types of ABs (one being penicillin) as I could have a bad reaction next time. It is a right pain when I am ill and need something quickly and the GP has to give me something that is maybe not his/her first choice.

[donnie]

your poor little dd. Mine has had so many rashes I don't know where to start! and usually they are viral which your dd's sounds like. If the cold etc is better it may be that the rash is the rest of the virus working its way out.If she has no temperature then I wouldn't worry too much although some piriton ( you can get it on prescription) will sooth the skin. ( also calamine lotion, very cheap from Boots in large bottles - v soothing)On the other hand it may well be a reaction to the antibiotics, if it clears up when you stop giving them you'll know. But most rashes aren't much to get too concerned about. Of course there is always the fact that it could be the beginning of chickenpox ( they will get scabby/crusty) or even measles, but again if she seems well in herself then I wouldn't worry. Hope she gets better soon.These things usually take about 3 days to start wearing off in my exp.

[stripey]

Hi Myself and dh are allergic to penicillin and I was worried about ds having it when he was first prescribed antibiotics so I spoke to the Pharmacist who told me even if you are allergic the allergy won't come out with the first dose? I gave him the amoxcill and he was fine but the second time he had it he came out in a rash and I was told he was allergic to it.

Don't know if this helps?

[muminlondon]

What was the rash like and how long did it last? My niece has had a rash as a reaction to antibiotics as well.

[Lonelymum]

Can't fully remember what my rash looked like but I do know it covered every inch of my body, no parts excluded. Don't know if stripey would agree with this re her son?

[muminlondon]

Thanks Lonelymum - this rash is still mainly on chest and back. So although it could be a slightly delayed reaction, donnie could be right too about it being a virus. I even wondered if it could be a bit of both - I was hesitant about giving antibiotics when it was clear she had a cold too.

[Lonelymum]

My ds1 had a rash that started on his chest and back and then spread after a day or two to his legs and arms. He was quite ill though before the rash appeared with a high temperature and some temperature related vomiting. The dr saw him and siad he had a virus but that was before the rash appeared. When the rash came, I looked up illnesses in a medical encyclopaedia and decided he had Roseola. You could wait to see if your dd's rash spreads in the same way and, if so, it might be that.

[muminlondon]

The rash has spread to her arms, forehead, behind her ears and hairline and this afternoon has been really hard. She's been crying and making a big fuss in one tantrum after another (which is not like her) - yet seemed quite calm as I put her to bed. I just want to know when it will end and my sweet, cooperative rash-less daughter will come back!

[Lonelymum]

It does sound more like a viral infection than an allergic reaction to ABs, but I am no doctor so don't take my word for it. If your dd is distressed, she is surely feeling unwell. When I had my allergic reaction, I did not feel ill (in fact, I took my German A level oral exam whilst covered in spots!) Hope she is better soon. Can you check out Roseola on the net and see if you think it sounds the same as your dd's symptoms?

[muminlondon]

Thanks Lonelymum,
I did check out pictures last night and it seemed a very similar rash - but then, so did measles and rubella! Roseola apparently goes after 2 days. This morning the rash had spread over her face and more along the arms and upper legs, and on the feet. On her chest the spots are larger, more joined together but pinker rather than yesterday. I tried a small dose of Piriton last night - she slept well but the fact that the rash has spread suggests to me that it's not an allergy. And she's still irritable, just with less energy to have tantrums so far today (asleep now).

Oh well, I'm going back to the doctor's today. Just as long as I don't see the one who said it was a food allergy - seeing as there's no history of that in our family (allergies to penicillin and aspirin, yes) and she ate chicken and potatoes the day before. I think he was just dodging the issue as he was the one who prescribed antibiotics.

[Lonelymum]

Oh good luck with the doctor! It is good to go back when the rash is still there as they have something to look at. I hate trying to explain the nature of a rash over the phone! It would be nice for you to know what she has so you can rule it out the next time a rash appears!

[Lonelymum]

In my babycare book though it says the measles spots are brownish red and start behind the ears. Did you notice this Lockets?

[donnie]

hi muminlondon, I agree it does sound like measles but don't panic - most cases of measles clear up and leave no trace. even if she's been vaccinated she may not have developed immunity.The main thing is she is reasonably well in herself - keep us posted. Also keep up with the piriton and calamine lotion.

[Lonelymum]

You can definitely catch these things even after immunisation. My ds2 had a mild form of mumps just before starting school and he had had his MMR and booster!

[muminlondon]

She's got a runny nose but the green snot cleared up last week and it's gone back to being colourless, and no more mucus in the eyes. Not exactly bright eyed (I don't think she's particularly sensitive to light though). I didn't look behind the ears when I first saw the spots on her chest and back but it looked like the rash started on her trunk and spread upwards and outwards - definitely a lot behind and over her ears now, but roseola is supposed to be like that too. Isn't the diagnostic symptom for measles white spots inside her mouth? (I can't see anything there but I don't know where to look)

The doctor just admitted he wasn't sure and asked us to go to children's A&E in the morning where they can at least do tests. She was a little calmer and chatty but still more irritable and demanding than normal.

[donnie]

how is she today ? what happened at A& E ?

[muminlondon]

I've left her with DH as I try to a week's worth of work done today, but she seems a little less irritable. Rash is still all over, but duller, pinker, more joined up - she's still got sore ears but no temperature. The consensus of doctors and nurses at A&E was that an allergy would have had a few other symptoms (I guess wheeziness or puffy eyes) so it's likely to be viral. Measles unlikely because it started on her chest and there's no sign of anything in her mouth, but otherwise unspecified. They suggest it might go in the next 4-5 days (the old 'wait a week' advice!).

[Lonelymum]

Gosh isn't being a parent to a sick child one of the hardest things there is? Hope she is better today.

[muminlondon]

It's pretty taxing isn't it?! The rash is definitely fading today. Her incisors have been coming through lately so as usual it all happens at once - she has been so grumpy and has had some terrible tantrums. But at least I can see an end to it now!

[Lonelymum]

Glad to hear it.

[muminlondon]

SO THAT'S WHAT IT WAS!

roseola

It looked exactly like that - by day 3 anyway, looked a bit angrier than at first. Most common between 6 months and 3 years, nearly all children have antibodies to it by aged 4 but less than 30% have shown all the symptoms.