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Original poster

What could this rash be? (Picture included)

27 replies

UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:13

Sorry for posting here, the children’s health topic looks quiet.

So my almost 7 year old has just come back from his dad’s. He’s got changed and I’ve noticed this rash on him. I can’t get a doctor’s appointment until tomorrow and the nearest pharmacy don’t see children as I’ve just called them.

He appears well, says it doesn’t itch or hurt and he’s had it since weekend.

It looks like tiny blisters but is dry. If it were on me I would say it was shingles! He had chicken pox quite mildly at 9 months old.

There is a small patch on his back too but knowhere else on his body.

I have hydrocortisone cream and Daktarin but not sure which to try, if any?

Thanks in advance

What could this rash be? (Picture included)
OP posts:
Knittedfairies2 · 20/02/2025 14:15

I can't see a picture, but could you find a pharmacy that will see him?

sugarspiceandeverythingnice12 · 20/02/2025 14:20

I'd see a pharmacist

LuckysDadsHat · 20/02/2025 14:21

Is the patch on his back at the same sort of level as the front and on the same side? If so I would say shingles. It looks like a shingles rash.

I would call the GP back and say you suspect shingles and need anti virals.

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Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:26

LuckysDadsHat · 20/02/2025 14:21

Is the patch on his back at the same sort of level as the front and on the same side? If so I would say shingles. It looks like a shingles rash.

I would call the GP back and say you suspect shingles and need anti virals.

It looks like shingles to me too but he says it’s painless. Yes, the bit on his back is inline with the rest of the rash

OP posts:
Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:27

To those saying pharmacy, I’ve called the only one nearby who won’t see him so that’s out the window but something I’ve considered

OP posts:
sugarspiceandeverythingnice12 · 20/02/2025 14:28

Won't see him? How bizarre

Ring the GP or 111 to get OOH appointment

JellyComb · 20/02/2025 14:31

Your picture is not approved yet, but my son also had very mild chickenpox as a baby and then had shingles in year 5 or 6. Like a blob of blisters / rash about the size of the palm of my hand on the back / side of his neck. Confirmed by a doctor.

He wasn't at all poorly with it, had no medication or creams but had to stay off school for 2 weeks until healed, much to his delight.

JellyComb · 20/02/2025 14:32

Picture through now. That looks exactly like my sons shingles.

PinkPinkPinkBlue · 20/02/2025 14:39

@UpUpUpU What part of the body is that? Shingles don’t cross the spine so if that is your son’s back very unlikely to be shingles. It however looks very much like the shingles rash my ds had recently, GP prescribed antiviral medication.

Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:40

Thank you all.

He’s fine in himself so not going to bother with 111 as my doctors are good so know they will see him tomorrow.

2 weeks off school! Wow, I blooming hope that isn’t the case

OP posts:
Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:41

PinkPinkPinkBlue · 20/02/2025 14:39

@UpUpUpU What part of the body is that? Shingles don’t cross the spine so if that is your son’s back very unlikely to be shingles. It however looks very much like the shingles rash my ds had recently, GP prescribed antiviral medication.

It’s upper chest, under his armpit and just onto his back

OP posts:
WeMeetInFairIthilien · 20/02/2025 14:46

Is it on the same side of his body, front and back?
Or, opposite sides front and back?

If the same, and the same height, I would suspect shingles too.

It flares up periodically in the secondary students I teach. If the rash is covered by clothing (and they don't get changed for PE), then our students are allowed back in as soon as they feel well enough. I've had one student who used a large plaster/dressing to cover the rash on his hand.

Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:50

It’s all one side.

He starts swimming lessons with school next week 😣

Looks like my suspicions of shingles might be the case so will take him to the doctors tomorrow and update you all

OP posts:
BishBashBoshClick · 20/02/2025 14:51

I'd be concerned about impetigo. It's very infectious. He could have caught it from bedsheets or towels that have been contaminated.

Tulipvase · 20/02/2025 14:52

If it is shingles (which it does look like) then as long as it can be covered and he is well in himself then he should be fine to go to school. It’s only if you can’t cover the rash that it is usually an issue. And it isn’t actively weeping.

Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:53

BishBashBoshClick · 20/02/2025 14:51

I'd be concerned about impetigo. It's very infectious. He could have caught it from bedsheets or towels that have been contaminated.

It doesn’t look like impetigo to me so I’m not immediately worried about that.

He has his own towels and will be keeping his top on though just in case.

OP posts:
Mauro711 · 20/02/2025 14:55

Check that his dad didn't put him in any new unwashed clothes. Clothes from places like Shein can cause reactions like that because they contain levels of poison that isn't allowed in a lot of the rest of the world.

Bingbangboo · 20/02/2025 14:56

Agree with the others - shingles. Looks exactly the same as when my daughter had it last year.

Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:56

Tulipvase · 20/02/2025 14:52

If it is shingles (which it does look like) then as long as it can be covered and he is well in himself then he should be fine to go to school. It’s only if you can’t cover the rash that it is usually an issue. And it isn’t actively weeping.

Edited

That’s good to know. It’s completely under his clothes. I guess he’ll just have to miss swimming and possibly PE until it’s gone

OP posts:
Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:57

Mauro711 · 20/02/2025 14:55

Check that his dad didn't put him in any new unwashed clothes. Clothes from places like Shein can cause reactions like that because they contain levels of poison that isn't allowed in a lot of the rest of the world.

Definitely not. I always send his clothes and it’s rare he buys him anything.

OP posts:
BishBashBoshClick · 20/02/2025 14:58

UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:53

It doesn’t look like impetigo to me so I’m not immediately worried about that.

He has his own towels and will be keeping his top on though just in case.

Show quote history

It doesn't quite look like it to me - but I'd definitely want it ruled out due to the high risk of infection. Hopefully the GP can diagnose what's going on.

Original poster
UpUpUpU · 20/02/2025 14:59

Hopefully. They are quite good so know I’ll get an appointment tomorrow to get him looked at 🤞🏻

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 20/02/2025 18:15

The ring on the one patch keeps me coming back to ringworm, but it looks just like allergic dermatitis to me.

Original poster
UpUpUpU · 21/02/2025 09:58

So we got in at the drs this morning and she has confirmed it’s shingles. The rash is still coming out and looks even more shingle like now. Poor kid.

He seems ok and she has given him some calamine cream to stop any itching.

She said he should be OK for school as long as the rash is covered but to check with them first so going to see if anyone answers the phone today.

Thank you for all your replies

OP posts:
LuckysDadsHat · 21/02/2025 11:53

UpUpUpU · 21/02/2025 09:58

So we got in at the drs this morning and she has confirmed it’s shingles. The rash is still coming out and looks even more shingle like now. Poor kid.

He seems ok and she has given him some calamine cream to stop any itching.

She said he should be OK for school as long as the rash is covered but to check with them first so going to see if anyone answers the phone today.

Thank you for all your replies

Did they not give any aclivor? They really should give anti virals if in the first 72 hours on onset.

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