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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What is this rash in my son? (pics incl)

43 replies

SpidersAreShitheads · 13/12/2021 11:15

Hi all,

I’ll start by saying we’ve got a GP appointment later but I’ve panicked myself by overthinking so thought I’d post here in the meantime.

My DS 12 has this rash on his legs. I only noticed the rash last night but the two bigger blotches have been there about a week. The rash is like pinpricks.

Negative LFT, no other symptoms. No temperature, no weight loss, good appetite. Four nights ago he had a headache which is virtually unknown for him but it settled with Calpol and hasn’t recurred. Absolutely fine in himself.

We have been doing some moving around of furniture and the floor was absolutely filthy where we moved bunk beds etc - crumbs and dust etc. He’s normally more or less naked and just wears a nappy (he’s autistic). Was wondering if maybe he came into contact with it before hoovered etc and it’s irritated him? Rash isn’t itchy. Rash also doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass.

I’ve managed to completely panic myself that it’s leukaemia or something awful. For context, I suffer from anxiety and other things are really stressful right now so I could win an Olympic gold in the sport of ridiculous worrying. My DS has no idea I’m anxious.

Should I be worried about the two bigger blotches which have been there about a week? Or the pin prick rash? Has anyone had anything similar?

Please help save me from my idiotic brain.

OP posts:
AmyDudley · 13/12/2021 11:43

We ll obviously I;m not a doctor, and it's good you are seeing one this afternoon - I'm sure s/he will be able to put your mind at rest. I suspect it might be the dust. If you google images of dust mite bites - there are some photos that look a little bit like the bigger red blotches on your boy's legs, and if he usually has bare legs then they would get direct access to his skin.
Try not to worry, I think if he had anything very serious he would be experiencing a lot of other symptoms and you say he seems well in himself.
Hope your mind is set at rest this afternoon Smile

foxgoosefinch · 13/12/2021 11:46

Looks like insect bite reactions to me?

FWIW I’ve seen acute leukaemia rashes and they are dark obvious bruising; I’m not a medic but that doesn’t look anything like them to me.

rrhuth · 13/12/2021 11:49

Rash also doesn’t fade when pressed with a glass
Never ignore a rash that doesn't fade. Do not listen to randoms online.

Look at NHS rashes advice and follow it. Phone 111.

rrhuth · 13/12/2021 11:50

@foxgoosefinch

Looks like insect bite reactions to me?

FWIW I’ve seen acute leukaemia rashes and they are dark obvious bruising; I’m not a medic but that doesn’t look anything like them to me.

I am not a medic but am willing to reassure strangers when completely unqualified Angry
Ducksurprise · 13/12/2021 11:51

Another non medical, but I'd go with contact dermatitis

5keletor · 13/12/2021 11:53

If it doesn't fade under a glass you need to call 111 now.

Dottysmum18 · 13/12/2021 11:57

Henoch-Schonlein purpura or meningitis?? glass test 🤔 then 111

BelieveInRainbows · 13/12/2021 11:58

I also wouldn't wait to see your GP if the rash isn't fading under a glass. I'd head straight up to A&E or at least call 111. Hopefully it's nothing but not one of those things to take chances with especially if it's been there over night.

Original poster
SpidersAreShitheads · 13/12/2021 12:05

I spoke to a nurse last night and rang the GP first thing this morning because as you say, the non-fading rash panicked me, The GP asked for photos - and I showed the nurse last night a video too. Neither seem concerned that it’s urgent - apparently a non-blanching rash in the absence of other symptoms isn’t a concern. The nurse last night just told me to contact GP today but no need for hospital as an emergency last night. GP asked us to come in this afternoon but no mad rush.

DS is completely fine in every other way. Lots of energy, eating well, no temperature, no headache etc.

The big blotches are worrying me a bit as they’ve been there about a week. His twin sister has nightmare eczema/very sensitive skin, and so do I, so there is a genetic tendency towards breakouts.

Last night I was terrified it was meningitis. Today I’m more worried about leukaemia or something like that. I like to mix up what I stress about 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

OP posts:
ColdAsIceCubes · 13/12/2021 12:07

That looks a lot like how my daughters HSP rash started although I did think it was meningitis to start with, especially as it didn’t blanche. Where does the rash start and end? My dd’s started at her hips and went to the tip of her toes and the soles of her feet. I was told at the hospital that that is the classic presentation of HSP & that meningitis covers the whole body. However, any non fading rash should be looked at ASAP. Do you have an urgent care centre that you could get to sooner than your GP appointment?

rrhuth · 13/12/2021 12:09

If you are seeing a medic today you must make your own call on whether that is soon enough.

I would never wait for a non-blanching rash as per NHS guidance.

Coronawireless · 13/12/2021 12:14

Is it just on his legs? If so my money is on henoch schonlein purpura. If more widespread it’s either a vasculitis or a platelet issue.
If he is otherwise we’ll it is not sepsis or meningitis so don’t panic but he still needs to be checked out.

Coronawireless · 13/12/2021 12:17

Actually looking very closely at it it could also be a fungal rash and this would fit with the dusty house move.

Original poster
SpidersAreShitheads · 13/12/2021 12:17

@rrhuth

If you are seeing a medic today you must make your own call on whether that is soon enough.

I would never wait for a non-blanching rash as per NHS guidance.

My appointment is at 2.30pm - I don’t think I’d get seen any sooner elsewhere.

My DM had to ring 111 a few nights ago due to breathing difficulties and it took them nearly 10 hours to get back to her, and then a few more hours to get a doctor out.

We have major problems in our local A&E too. Hospitals in the surrounding towns have all been closed so it’s one hospital serving a huge area. Last week there were tons of ambulances queuing round the hospital waiting to get their patients inside…..

I was also concerned about COVID exposure - I’d rather not have any unnecessary exposure. DM is CEV and I’m her carer, plus both my DC are autistic and really struggle to deal with any illness. I’d absolutely be going straight to hospital if I thought it was the right thing to do - but both a nurse and a GP have reviewed the photos and neither seem to think it’s urgent.

Thank you though, genuinely - if I hadn’t had advice from the nurse and doctor I’d be doing what you suggest.

OP posts:
Original poster
SpidersAreShitheads · 13/12/2021 12:20

@Coronawireless

Actually looking very closely at it it could also be a fungal rash and this would fit with the dusty house move.
Yes just on his legs! Tummy completely clear.

Their room was very dusty…!!! The only thing is that the two blotches appeared before the move around/dust exposure. So I’m wondering if they’re something unrelated to the pinprick rash?

OP posts:
Cakepig · 13/12/2021 12:23

Assuming urgent conditions ruled out, another vote here for HSP. We had an initial diagnosis of bites even though not itchy...it's not hugely common so good to be aware to alert healthcare professional. Blotches over legs and buttocks, nothing above waist height. For us, eventually cleared after a few months, no other symptoms, and just dip tests for urine to carry out at home.

Hope you get some answers

rrhuth · 13/12/2021 12:23

I hate rashes. Twice I've taken mine, twice bloods taken, twice nothing - but you can't stop worrying.

Let us know (if you feel like it) what the GP says and hopefully you'll be much less worried by 2:45pm!

Coronawireless · 13/12/2021 12:27

The marks look a little raised. I’m veering towards fungal, eg ringworm, but obviously best to go for that GP check-up.

Original poster
SpidersAreShitheads · 13/12/2021 12:28

Thank you all so much - general consensus seems to be HSP! I will absolutely come back and update after we get back.

He couldn’t be bouncier in himself so that’s definitely a good sign…!!

OP posts:
Ducksurprise · 13/12/2021 12:41

rrhuth what would you prefer, no one to answer? Even if someone says they are a medic doesn't mean they are telling the truth. The OP has an appointment, and going to that appointment especially as ds is well in himself is definitely the quickest option.

twig1234 · 13/12/2021 12:46

Hsp?

rrhuth · 13/12/2021 12:47

@Ducksurprise

rrhuth what would you prefer, no one to answer? Even if someone says they are a medic doesn't mean they are telling the truth. The OP has an appointment, and going to that appointment especially as ds is well in himself is definitely the quickest option.
It is dangerous to guess. People can answer without guessing.
Ducksurprise · 13/12/2021 12:53

But it's a guess, with the precursor that they are not medical and thus are not diagnosing. Thus not dangerous. A response which said I'm a doctor it is definitely.... would be dangerous

rrhuth · 13/12/2021 12:59

@Ducksurprise

But it's a guess, with the precursor that they are not medical and thus are not diagnosing. Thus not dangerous. A response which said I'm a doctor it is definitely.... would be dangerous
That's fine. I'm not going to change my view - people should not guess.
Original poster
SpidersAreShitheads · 13/12/2021 12:59

To be fair, people can guess all they want as I'm not relying on their answers - I'm seeing a doctor very shortly. My post was really just inviting people to speculate and hopefully to set my mind at rest a bit (which they have done).

If they're wrong and it's something terrible (hopefully not!!!!) my GP will tell me at 2.30pm. I think absolutely if someone was going to be guided about what to do by what's been said on here it would potentially be dangerous - but I've already got an appointment. I just wanted to canvas opinions as my brain was whirring with panic.

OP posts:
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