20 month old DD suddenly covered in spots

[Peopleplease]

Saturday night DD had a fever and threw up but recovered with calpol. Was fine Sunday - a bit tired but otherwise normal and was completely normal today. Except I was just getting her ready for bed and she’s covered in spots. Mostly on her legs.

Should I be thinking chickenpox? If I should is there anything I should do - like the gp tomorrow?

Chicken pox spots are very distinctive. There are also lots of vital rashes that can happen.

Do the meningitis rash tests. No need to go to the GP with chicken pox - in face, it’s better that you don’t.

Have done the rash test and the spots fade.

I would expect chickenpox to start on the trunk rather than legs, but if she's warmest there (perhaps tights under shorts?) it's possible.

What kind of rash is it? Are they small spots? Close together? Large ones? Far apart? Are they red? Blistery? Raised? Do they seem itchy?

I disagree with above poster, it is good to know if it is chicken pox as you'll need to keep your LO away from others whilst they're contagious. Call ahead to warn them it's suspected CP and the gp should be able to put you in a seperate room at the surgery so you don't have contact with others. When my son had suspected CP I called the gp for advice and they said to go in. It's common for children to get symptoms as you describe before getting the rash. I also think it's reassuring to rule out other rashes

Also just to add the spots don't necessarily blister straight away, my son's spots were mainly red for a few days before they blistered, so no blisters doesn't necessarily mean no CP

Christ. Ever likely it’s 6-8 weeks for a routine appointment if the surgery is full of people checking things that are highly likely viral with no medical treatment required.

We did have to take DD to the GP with CP, because she was having an allergic reaction to the virus which was stopping her body from fighting it. But that was well over a week after the spots started.

The spots are really small and pretty close together. she doesn’t seem itchy at all.

I didn’t take either of mine to the GP with chicken pox, I didn’t think it was usual to? Anyway I knew it was chicken pox so no point.

OP in my experience the spots weren't itchy until they'd blistered. They can gather around the back of the knees and elbows, so not that odd that lots on the legs. Might be worth getting the opinion of a doctor if you're concerned at all. Like PPs have said it could just be a viral rash. I find it bizarre how blase people can be about CP, my gp wanted to see my son, although I guess the policies will vary across surgeries. They can get easily infected, which is what my gp wanted to check for as my son was covered head to toe. Also some children suffer additional complications, and if you've been around any pregnant women in the past few days they'll need to know they have been in contact with it in case they are not immune

I would have taken mine in if any of the spots had looked infected, of course.

Or if they had been very ill with it, but they weren’t.

So does it look a bit like a nettle rash? Are there one or two (especially on torso) which are bigger?

It doesn't sound to me like chicken pox. Ime the child starts with one or two which are much bigger by the time the others appear. Although it may present differently. If it is chicken pox It's likely 1 or two, or more, will have watery blisters by tomorrow and may become itchy.

It could be just a viral rash following whatever made her feel Ill at the weekend (mine rashed after viruses most times) but measles is quite bad this year. Also could be scarlet fever so please don't disregard if you are worried. 111 will give advice, or there is your GP. But if you do go to a medical centre please warn them in advance of the likelihood your child is infectious.

Scarlet fever usually presents with rosy cheeks and a “strawberry tongue”.