Scared woken up with this rash all over me

[Polkadotshort]

I’ve been unwell since Sunday with flu like symptoms - fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. I had hives on Wednesday which seemed to go away with anti histamine. Then this morning I’ve woken up covered apart from my face in this rash as I’ve attached the photo. The skin on my stomach is the worst.
My hands are sore and stiff as well. What the hell is going on? My fever has gone now. I’m going to call the GP surgery as soon as it opens but I’m really scared as I’ve never had anything like this.

The only place not effected is my face.

Pharmacist said they can’t help and have directed me back to GP!
Pharmacist was googling it and said she didn’t know what it was.

I’ve got to go through the triage system again at the GP

Honestly? I wouldn’t. It’s likely a post viral rash and nothing that needs diagnosis and treatment. Treat symptoms for a day or two and see how you go.
You need to focus on the anxiety and how to deal with that. What treatment are you having?

What are you worried it is OP?

I’m worried it’s something bacterial that needs antibiotics as I don’t want it to turn into sepsis or something

GP here… could be many things .. your sore joints suggest could be reaction to virus. I also wondered about scarlet fever… agree you need to see a doctor in person!
Best wishes.

I had the exact same thing and pretty sure it was slapped cheek

Got a GP appointment in 30 mins.

It feels more itchy when I get hot

I agree slapped cheek. You will be ok. I had the rash all over my body and achey joints. Blood tests confirmed.

You need to use the appointment to start tackling the anxiety.

I'm surprised pharmacist wasn't more help. I would have expected to assist with advice on remedy typically chlorphenamine or cetirizine - antihistamines which are available otc.

She seemed very hesitant (pharmacist) and was using Google to look up symptoms - she seemed anxious to prescribe anything. And didn’t know what it was.

How long does the rash/feeling crappy last as an adult with slapped cheek please?

Is the rash rough like sandpaper?
We have a Strep A outbreak at DCs school - lots of kids off with either tonsillitis or scarlet fever.

No it’s not particularly rough, just smooth feeling really.

Under the skin and smooth I mean

Just got out of GP. She did thorough checks - heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure, listened to my chest and looked in my throat etc, all clear. She thinks it’s a viral rash. Possibly Covid although I’ve taken two tests and both were negative.
She said take antihistamine for a week.

She doesn’t think it’s Scarlett Fever as it’s not rough to rough and I haven’t got a bad sore throat

The problem is that this week this is the focus of your anxiety. And next week it’ll be something different. You need strategies that work for you.

It's just a viral rash, which has occured because you've been unwell. Nothing to worry about. Rest up and get well soon

I felt crappy a few days before the rash. Got the rash on the Saturday, sore joints started Sunday, by Wednesday or so I was feeling ok ish. Much better by the Saturday

Sorry, I posted before your update. I think you should get some help with your health anxiety. A viral rash is nothing to worry about, and your DH was right not to stay at home with you, that would only fuel your anxiety.
I do hope you feel better soon in every respect

Looks like urticaria, I've had it a few times, never managed to pinpoint the cause. Very annoying, just mainline antihistamines for a few days and it'll calm down.

Have you changed washing powder recently? Because of where you say the rash is, I am thinking that you're having a reaction to a new blend of the powder or that you've changed it entirely and you're reacting to that.

The rash following flu symptoms and the stiff hands (bit like arthritis) with the itchy almost hot burning rash at times, sounds like classic slapped cheek virus (also known as as Fifth disease). I'm surprised the GP didnt recognise it. I had it at Easter and it has been circulating at high levels. No need to worry, the symptoms will pass. The rash may come and go for a while. It's just one of those things. We all had it and the symptoms didn't all come in the same order for all of us. You just may feel tired for a while and have sore joints. My mother had the red cheeks at the end of her illness. Take care. x