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Original poster

Non blanching rash

37 replies

HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:11

I've been scared half to death so please help me sort things out in my head.

This morning, I noticed that DS (3.5yo) had a few pinprick dark spots on his face, mainly around his hairline, which didn't blanch. I wouldn't even really call them a rash, maybe like 8-10 little spots spread out in total. I took him to the GP this morning who confirmed that he was otherwise well (he is, he has been full of beans all day). So she said it could be viral and just to keep an eye. I wasn't worried and we had a normal day, although I avoided contact with others just in case.

So about half an hour ago, GP calls me to ask how he is. Bit odd but I said he was fine. Rash no worse or better and he was all ok otherwise. She then said I should bring him in for a blood test on Monday if it hadn't faded over the weekend. She said she's pretty certain that it's not meningitis, but could be something like low platelets. And lots of other medical terms I don't understand.

I am now all a panic and consulting Dr Google left, right and centre. I have no idea why he has the rash. He is genuinely hardly ever ill (aside from usual coughs and colds, one of which he is just getting over). He did have an almighty tantrum last night about going to bed and was very stressed. I've read that vomiting and coughing bouts could cause this. Could excessive crying do the same perhaps?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:30

Worried bump.

OP posts:
VanitasVanitatum · 19/12/2014 20:33

Yes excessive crying can do that, I have had them once from that. Im sure GP is just being cautious, but call back tomorrow to discuss if you're still worrying.

LadyFlumpalot · 19/12/2014 20:34

If you are worried then call your out of hours or 111. Honestly they won't mind. I've had DS in A&E before because of a funny rash (which turned out to be viral) and the doctor said they would rather see 1000 well children with a funny rash than miss the one child with meningitis.

Rockinghorse123 · 19/12/2014 20:36

My ds had a viral rash last week and I noticed similar spots to the ones you describe on his ear lobe. They cleared in a day. I know it's worrying but if it was meningitis he would be very poorly, the fact he's full of beans would reassure me but if you're at all worried take him to the out of hours doctor, you're not wasting their time it's what they are there for Flowers

MilkThistle187 · 19/12/2014 20:36

Well, my ds had this with low platelets, but it spread very rapidly. He has a few spots on his tummy one morning, along with a few unexplained bruises and the rash spread before our eyes. He was perfectly well in himself - he had no temp or aches and pains. He had had a cold the previous week that we were told could have triggered it. if the rash is in a cluster, draw around it with a washable marker or pen so that you can see if it's spreading.

Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:37

Thanks. Thing is I wasn't worried about it. He is honestly the healthiest child I know and built like a tank. It's the GP that has panicked me by calling on a Friday night.

Useful to know the tantrum could have been to blame. He was very upset indeed.

OP posts:
Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:39

The spots aren't clustered. Just sort of dotted across his forehead and a few by his ears. No new ones since this morning, and not any darker or anything.

Thanks, this is all reassuring.

OP posts:
Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:40

I've taken a photo so I can monitor any changes in the morning.

OP posts:
lem73 · 19/12/2014 20:40

I had a rash like that years ago and it turned out to be low platelets. To reassure you it was explained to me by a paediatrician friend that the meningitis rash comes as a result of a high temperature. So if there is no fever don't worry. He told me this because I used to keep calling him every time ds1 got a rash.

Jojay · 19/12/2014 20:41

My DS used to get spots as you describe after an asthma attack. They were like tiny burst blood vessels and I guess an asthma attack is similar in effect to a tantrum / prolonged coughing fit. They went away after a few days. Fx that's all it is.

OhLittleBoreOfWhabylon · 19/12/2014 20:42

You've just got a very thorough and responsble GP Smile

Non-blanching rashes (called petechial rashes) are caused by bleeding under the skin. It can be due to very very nasty things, as you know, but your child would be ill. A non-blanching rash in a seemingly well child is highly unlikely to be due to anything scary - yes it could have been caused by a full-on screaming tantrum, causing delicate blood vessels to burst.

It's likely to disappear over the weekend. If it's still there then worth getting him checked out, s your GO has suggested, just to make sure his blood is clotting normally. If the rash spreads or he becomes unwell, then he needs to be examned asap.

I recommend stepping away from Dr Google.

BarbarianMum · 19/12/2014 20:43

Please try not to worry, it sounds like your doctor was just applying belt and braces. With meningitis, the rash is generally one of the last symptoms to appear and he would be very poorly. If he looks and acts fine, the likelihood is that he is.

Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:44

Thank you all. Is low platelets something to worry about or is it manageable?

OP posts:
winnybella · 19/12/2014 20:45

If he's feeling well then he doesn't have meningitis. Rash is the symptom of sepsis and is a late symptom of meningitis.
I think she meant idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, which can be serious, but is not an emergency as meningitis is, and is fairly easily dealt with AFAIK. Have any more of the marks appeared throughout the day? If not, I would think it's something totally benign and to do with crying/coughing.

MilkThistle187 · 19/12/2014 20:45

If the rash spreads, even if he seems perfectly well, I would take him to OOH tomorrow

Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:45

I am stepping away from that quack Dr Google. Dr Mumsnet is far more knowledgeable!

OP posts:
MilkThistle187 · 19/12/2014 20:47

When DS had low platelets he was in hospital for a week and needed a platelet transfusion. Not to worry you, but if it is that, which is very unlikely, he needs to be seen sooner rather than later.

Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:48

No, no more today. Same amount.

OP posts:
lucy101 · 19/12/2014 20:48

We have had them from coughing and crying but our GP also sent us to A&E to be on the safe side.

BarbarianMum · 19/12/2014 20:49

Definitely manageable and I think it generally sorts itself out (tho not sure about this). My money's on the tantrum, but.

I had a similar sort of rash after having ds2 - he was a big baby.

Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:50

Thanks MilkThistle. Hope your little boy wasn't too traumatised and is well now.

Would I see a rapid increase of spots/rash if it were platelets?

OP posts:
OhLittleBoreOfWhabylon · 19/12/2014 20:50

There are lots and lots of causes for low pltelets, ranging from the very serious (and I'm not going to list them!) to temporary following a viral infection.

You don't know that he has low platelets, it's more likely due to the tantrum.

BarbarianMum · 19/12/2014 20:50

Just seen milkthistles post. Def ignore mine then, she sounds like the voice of experience.

Original poster
HolyDrinker · 19/12/2014 20:52

Thanks OhLittleBore. I think I can guess at the serious causes, gulp...

OP posts:
OhLittleBoreOfWhabylon · 19/12/2014 20:55

Not going to list them because you'd frighten yourself out of your wits - we all do!

Just see how he goes over the weekend.

And yes, if it's due to a problem with blood clotting, eg low platelets (called thrombocytopaenia) the rash would increase. A few spots after major tantrum is more likely to be tantrum-induced.

When you hear hoofbeats you don't automatically think 'Zebra!' Grin

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