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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think these are chicken pox?

103 replies

leepingup · 21/04/2023 21:51

30 years old. My niece has had chicken pox recently who I frequently see. I haven't had them. Being feeling a little unwell the past few days, however, I'm training for a marathon so put it down to that.

However, today I've been feeling slightly itchy and now these spots have appeared. Just on my ankle, no where else.

Does this seem like chicken pox?

To think these are chicken pox?
OP posts:
frdsg · 22/04/2023 12:18

Did you see your niece immediately before and/or whilst her spots weren't scabbed over?

MyTruthIsOut · 22/04/2023 12:22

My children have both had chicken pox in the last month and they were covered in spots!! It started off with just a few spots across the back of their neck and a few on their upper torso, and then within 24 hours their whole torso (front and back) was covered, as were their arms, legs, genitals, bottoms, armpits, feet and face. It was just awful, they were so itchy and in so much discomfort.

Their spots were far larger than what yours are, they were angry red in colour and there were obvious pus blisters in the middle of them.

PuppyMonkey · 22/04/2023 12:25

Leprosy?

CC4712 · 22/04/2023 12:32

PuppyMonkey · 22/04/2023 12:25

Leprosy?

Now that sounds like a qualified opinion! 😂

unvillage · 22/04/2023 12:57

Sounds like you're feeling anxious about the possibility and searching for spots. Every little blemish could be "possible chicken pox" to you right now.

But it's not. That's not what chicken pox looks like. You're fine.

FourBoysAndAFeline · 22/04/2023 13:15

leepingup · 22/04/2023 11:41

Thank you, that's sensible of you.

Show quote history

I have two medical degrees, and they are not chicken pox.

TempName247 · 22/04/2023 13:20

You’ll only know if it spreads further. My DC had none on their torso, arms or face so it is possible for it to start on you leg (although uncommon).

inappropriateraspberry · 22/04/2023 13:36

Unhinged? Purely stating facts. No one is qualified to say with absolute certainty that those are not chicken pox. I think they are.

And what makes you qualified to think they are @leepingup?

Edthehorse · 22/04/2023 13:53

It sounds like you REALLY want it to be chicken pox OP. Which is slightly odd 🤔

HowcanIhelp123 · 22/04/2023 13:54

Hit on the head earlier, its marathon regret-itis.

rachelvbwho · 22/04/2023 14:02

leepingup · 21/04/2023 22:01

None of you are qualified to make such assumptions. Thank you.

Think the OP is clutching at straws for an excuse to not do the marathon if I'm honest.

And yes..... That is a wholly unqualified assumption... But hey that's Mumsnet!

Sunshineandshowers39 · 22/04/2023 14:15

Nope, not chickenpox. CP are larger and by now, you would be covered.

Not medically-qualified, but seemingly more qualified than the GP who diagnosed my DS with chickenpox when I was sure he had hand, foot and mouth... Spoiler - he got chickenpox two years later.

AdobeWanKenobi · 22/04/2023 14:39

OP if the quality of the free advice you are getting here is of concern to you, may I suggest an online GP appointment, they are around to £40 and are qualified to tell you it's probably not chicken pox.

HTH
😂

Tessisme · 22/04/2023 15:05

Sunshineandshowers39 · 22/04/2023 14:15

Nope, not chickenpox. CP are larger and by now, you would be covered.

Not medically-qualified, but seemingly more qualified than the GP who diagnosed my DS with chickenpox when I was sure he had hand, foot and mouth... Spoiler - he got chickenpox two years later.

So as not to confuse the very polite and gracious OP(😉) I agree that chicken pox are indeed larger, but DS1 and I had them when he was 4 and I was 45 and you could have counted our spots on one hand. They never got any worse. A couple of weeks later DS2 broke out and he was plastered in them from head to toe!

uncomfortablydumb53 · 22/04/2023 15:40

Definitely not chicken pox... They first appear on your body not limbs
I am not qualified to comment other than being a Mother and I still have scars from my childhood
Maybe Google yourself???

TempName247 · 22/04/2023 16:01

uncomfortablydumb53 · 22/04/2023 15:40

Definitely not chicken pox... They first appear on your body not limbs
I am not qualified to comment other than being a Mother and I still have scars from my childhood
Maybe Google yourself???

Not always, my DC had none on their torso or face! Legs and bum were covered!

catfoodcatastrophe · 22/04/2023 16:09

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

ChristmasFluff · 22/04/2023 18:01

NOT chicken pox. And despite having qualified as a physio, my main qualification is still that I have had chicken pox and seen it in lots of others, including my own child. The same will apply to most doctors..

Looks more like bites.

ChristmasFluff · 22/04/2023 18:02

But to counter a myth on here - the first spots can appear anywhere

inappropriateraspberry · 22/04/2023 21:22

ChristmasFluff · 22/04/2023 18:02

But to counter a myth on here - the first spots can appear anywhere

Yep, my daughter's first spot was on her neck (and didn't look like a chicken pox!), then they came up on tummy and back.

Sunshineandshowers39 · 22/04/2023 23:01

Tessisme · 22/04/2023 15:05

So as not to confuse the very polite and gracious OP(😉) I agree that chicken pox are indeed larger, but DS1 and I had them when he was 4 and I was 45 and you could have counted our spots on one hand. They never got any worse. A couple of weeks later DS2 broke out and he was plastered in them from head to toe!

Show quote history

That's fair enough! Tbh, I did hesitate before writing 'covered', but probably in most cases, there are likely to be more than two and a tiny pimple 😁

ThreeblackCats · 22/04/2023 23:08

As a retired pharmacist I am qualified to answer, I do indeed know the answer. But I don’t think I should share my wisdom with someone who doesn’t know what her trunk is and who is so rude to all the people that do take time out of their day to try and help.

SoShallINever · 22/04/2023 23:21

I think they are inflamed hair follicles.
Maybe try using more soap?

ZombieMumEB · 22/04/2023 23:46

Have you been vaccinated against varicella?

When did you last see your niece?

You say you've been unwell - have you had cold symptoms? Runny nose, fever?

I've had 4 kids - all have had chicken pox. 3 were not vaccinated and were covered head to foot with pox. My youngest was vaccinated and I would have missed his spots had I not been looking out for them.

Chicken pox spots tend to look like these - they become fluid filled blisters and scab over.

You'd definitely know 24 hours later if they were chicken pox or not.

To think these are chicken pox?
TheGrimSqueakersFlea · 23/04/2023 11:03

The first photo is obviously a tiny vampire bite. If you have more of these, please check your house for a nest.

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