How do you know when your child has chicken pox ?

[hideandseekpig]

My 18 month old dd has a couple of red spot type blotches on the back of her shoulders. That's all none anywhere else. She is fine in herself no temperature or anything. I have absolutely no idea how to spot chicken pox so would appreciate some help! Is it more likely to just be insect bites or something? We've been outside all day and her window was open last night.

Thank you!

For the first day or so it is impossible to know as the spots look like insect bites. Then the oldest spot gets a liquid filled bubble in the middle and that's chicken pox. Over the next 7-10 days all the spots come out, get the bubbles and the dry out.

Ok...so do I just carry on as usual?! Or do you literally hole up indoors for a few days and wait and see what happens to the spot? Thank you for answering

I think you will know by the morning, as if it is I would expect them to be like blisters by then.

DS has had a similar rash for 6 days. I'm guessing that's not CP as the blisters haven't filled out, they're still looking like insect bites with a pale bit in the middle.

I don't think you need to stay indoors for every rash and mosquito bite. You'll know very soon if it is CP and unfortunately, if it is, it will have been contagious 2-3 days before any indication. We were on a plane on a Saturday a few weeks ago, Sunday DS had a spot, by Monday it was obviously CP. I really hope we did not infect anyone vulnerable but there was no way of knowing on the Saturday.

Thanks I'll keep an eye then!

Fluid filled blisters which are itchy, turn red, crust over then scab. It's usually obvious!