To take him to hospital?

Why not make a GP appointment?

Looks like hand foot and mouth. DD had it and her arms, hands, legs, feet, nappy area, and around mouth were absolutely covered. She was much more unwell than she was with chicken pox but nothing you can do other than ride it out and give paracetamol if needed! Absolutely not a reason to attend hospital at this stage.

Exactly, posted for advice and then used her brain and also sought medical advice, just because someone asks a question on here doesn’t mean they will live their life by the answers.

"A mild rash"
that could be anything from a sweat rash to a sign of sepsis
bit like the time on here someone posted about their abdominal pain and all the oh so clever medics of Mumsnet told her to stop making a fuss
Thankfully she didn't listen and went to hospital
Where actual doctors diagnosed and ectopic pregnancy that could have killed her
Some of the so called medical advice I have read on here over the years is terrifying
But yeah crack on

It’s opinions from other parents on a parenting forum about a mild rash, it’s not like her child requires CPR and OP is asking ‘how do I do it’

When my son had hand foot and mouth, his feet, arms legs and face was covered. There was hardly any skin that didn't have a spot. He didn't have any on his torso at all, but everywhere else he did. It looks like hfm to me.

I will never cease to be amazed that people would prefer to take medical advice from randomers on the internet instead of actual medical professionals

my boys both had HFM 2-3 times and it was worst in their nappy area. They were iller with that than chicken pox

Looks like HFM. No A&E required unless he has a temp that won’t come down with medicine, signs of dehydration such as no wet nappies or is very drowsy etc. Check NHS guidance for red flag symptoms.

continue with fluids and calpol, soft foods that don’t make his mouth sore and speak to 111 or pharmacist for further advice. Hospital risks nastier bugs and an incredibly long wait as he’d be extremely low priority unless there are symptoms not described in your op.

Chicken Pox has an incubation period of 21ish days. And I know this thanks to my two, just as one was fully recovered and back at school the second came down with it

I agree with a previous poster it doesn’t completely look like CP I would expect more blistered spots but that may well come. HF&M is a funny one, my little boy was diagnosed with it last year and he only has spots in his mouth.

I would give paracetamol and hold off on ibuprofen if you suspect chicken pox, as many fluids as you can, water, squash, ice lollies and water based fruit it they can face eating like watermelon and cucumber. Obviously you know them best and any concerns seek medical advice. Wishing them well

Keep an eye on his temperature and give paracetamol, these viral infections need to run their course. If he deteriorates to the point he’s really sleepy, really high temperature despite paracetamol that’s when to seek medical attention

Don’t take kids with highly contagious infections to a pharmacy, it’s not necessary in this case.

I don’t think it looks like chicken pox, and they often start off in ‘warm’ places like belly, neck etc and look more blistery.

Looks like HF&M or chicken pox to me. I'd take him to a decent pharmacy today, if you can & see what they think. In the meantime, keep on top of his symptoms with the usual calpol/calprofen etc.

Yes - gnats, mozzies etc.
I expect you've been outside in the warm weather and had the windows open at night?
I'd try some piriton.

I agree. Does he also have any spots on his hands or mouth?

For info, my DS had HFM when he was about 18 months. Had spots predominantly on hands, feet and around mouth, but also legs and wrists and a couple on his torso.

I took him to GP (let them know first so we could be isolated!) who diagnosed chickenpox and impetigo.... I wasn't convinced, but thought the GP knew better! He then got a seriously bad case of chickenpox when he was four and looking back at photos, it was blatantly obvious it was previously HFM.

So, it is possible to get spots elsewhere with HFM.

Maybe give him a dose of antihistamine in case they are bites?

From the pics they look like bites

It's not an accident or an emergency, so no.

Count the spots and keep an eye out for more. Looks and sounds like HFM or chicken pox. Give calpol ibuprofen for the fever, and keep up with fluids.

Pharmacist could look at the blebs, or 111 for an out of hours appointment if you're really worried. But I wouldn't go to hospital at this point.

111 are shit but they will get you a doctors appointment if needed.

It doesn’t look like a hospital thing, they look like nothing to be honest! Could be hives, could be a bug bite… could be absolutely nothing.

It’s foolish to be put off 111 though, if those bumps did look serious they might be able to get you an appointment so you can skip waiting in a&e for 10 hours on a bank holiday. They have a solid purpose even if you didn’t like one person working for them so when they are needed phone them!

It looks like Hand, Foot and Mouth disease to be honest.

If it is, it's a viral infection which typically lasts 7 to 10 days and is just treated like any mild viral illness.