Non blanching rash

[HolyDrinker]

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.

I can only speak from my own experience, but in our case the rash spread very quickly so I'm sure it's probably not that. You could almost see the spots multiply before your eyes.

On the positive side, my friends dd had a similar rash recently and it turned out to be a viral rash and nothing of consequence. Fingers crossed yours is the same

Really though, your GP has done the right thing. Based on her examination today, she doesn't think there is anything to worry about, BUT if the rash persists, she will check out his blood, just to be on the safe side.

And, as I and others have said, if he seems unwell, and/or the rash spreads over the weekend, don't wait, seek advice straight away.

Thanks guys. You've definitely calmed me down.

I will. DH is sleeping with him tonight as I'll be up and down to baby DD all night. I will instruct him to keep a watchful eye.

Incidentally, wanting to sleep in bed with mummy and daddy and not his own room was what caused last night's tantrum...

Other things to watch out for: unexplained bruising, bleeding (eg from nose or in wee) joint/limb pain.

These things are NOT GOING TO HAPPEN though, just being thorough.

Thank you OhLittleBore.

You are very welcome

Well, no more spots this morning. And I think they're a bit paler/faded. Although that could be wishful thinking on my part.

Sounds good. You should be able to tell by tomorrow whether they're definitely fading.

That's great OP, sounds like your in the clear. I was worrying you'd be spending Christmas in hospital. Keep us posted x

Hi just come across this & noticed it was fairly recent.. I hope your DS is ok now.

DD is 3 and has a few random red spots around under her eyes. She has had them quite a few days. She did fall flat on her face a couple of times last week & she is perfectly well & full of beans, except for a slight cough. I didn't take much notice of the spots as she is well & they are very slight, but now I have done the glass test & they don't blanche. I don't think they have changed much since she has had them. She is too well for the meningitis but I am now panicking about leukaemia. Will take her to the GP tomorrow but would be grateful for any thoughts. DH thinks I am mad, I do have a tendency to health anxiety particularly about anything happening to the children...

Ds used to do this regularly from 3 months old onwards. Lost count of the number of times we ended up at A&E for bloods.
The most alarming was when I took him the the GP with a mild rash acress his temples. By the time we were seen 10 minutes later at the outside they were all across his forehead and coming down his cheeks. By the end of the appointment they were all over his face and spreading down his arms. We almost sat and watched them come out in fascination.

They always started round his temples or ears, and after a couple of times we (me nor GP) worried unless they were spreading further-in fact for a time he had them regularly.

Always viral rash-he was always pretty well in himself, so it wasn't too much of a worry. I was told that with meningitis the rash is one of the later things, so they'd be clearly very unwell by that stage.

He never needed any treatment. And bloods showed it was viral.