Is this Chicken pox?

[ByLuckyLemur]

Hello!
FTM and little one (16 months) has come out in a rash this morning. She had two spots the other day but they didn't develop and came down with a cold on Friday, then this morning all of these spots were here - is this Chicken pox or eczema? Reason I say Eczema is because the larger red area is a patch of it which I've been trying to moisturise and decrease for months.

One spot on her face but not really any others that have developed during the day.

Eating and sleeping okay. Pharmacist thought either chickenpox or insect bites from being outside.
She's seen someone in the last three weeks with shingles?

The key thing with chicken pox is the progression. It starts with one two spots, which begin as a red patch and then develop the blister (dew on a leaf).

The next day more appear, the next day more. The blisters burst and then crust.

That looks a bit confined to one particular area, and the fact that two days ago she had spots that didn't develop makes it less likely.

So.. wait and see I guess.

In terms of eczema - I've seen it get spotty like that around an infected area/exacerbation although the pharmacist would normally pick that up.

I would reassess tomorrow morning to see which way it's going. You can always go back again to the pharmacist if it's changing (or 111)

I have heard they start behind the ears. So if you’re clear there then it’s not chicken pox. I may be incorrect though and am sure PP will say if wrong.

Not the place to ask - call 111, ask them for help. If your child shows any signs of lethargy/headache/aversion to the light/neck ache call 999 immediately. If you have any concerns whatsoever call 999 immediately.
If youre registered with a GP they should have an out of hours service (or, again, 111 if your child seems otherwise in fine health). Most GPs also have an online appointment request system now where you can not only ask for help from a GP but also submit whatever photos you have.

Again: if you are in any way concerned about your child please go direct to actual doctors for actual medical advice and treatment - do not entrust your child's health to the online world.

They look a bit too clustered.

Chicken pox spots multiply quickly once they get going and are all over the body. They also form very distinctive bubbles of liquid on each spot that then scab. Your child’s spots don't have any bubbles.

Neither of my sons did, never heard that!

@Caligirl80 999 is emergencies only. 111 is for non emergency assessment.

A bit over the top when the child is eating and sleeping fine and has already been seen by a pharmacist.

The OP is just trying to establish if it is likely to be chicken pox or something else. Most children don't need to see a GP with chicken pox.

I stand corrected 😂

If you read my comment you'll see that's acknowledged (and obvious). Where children are concerned any change of health can develop into an emergency extremely quickly. My sister's toddler developed a rash that seemed similar to this one...saw the pharmacist and was told not to worry...barely two hours later the little one was being blue lighted to hospital with meningitis. Young children can go from absolutely fine to septic incredibly quickly (babies even more so). The A&E docs in the paediatric A&E told my sister that they would always far rather a parent call 999 and it be a false alarm than "try not to make a fuss". If my sister hadn't called 999 when her child became a bit fussy (she didn't even have a temperature - she just had a little rash like a chicken pox rash, and was very clingy) my niece would likely be dead - and that's not me being dramatic, that's exactly what the A&E docs said. So, whether you think it's an emergency or not, if you are worried in any way about your child there is nothing wrong with you calling 999. Relying on an online forum for medical advice about a child with an emergent problem is not a good idea.