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Children's health

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Toddler high temperature and now rash?

29 replies

DDDN · 23/03/2023 18:35

Hi everyone,

So for the past 4 days my 16 month old has had flushed cheeks, high temperature, runny nose (green), very clingy etc.

I put it down to teething (many are coming at the same time) and a virus. Giving calpol at night, nurofen day time. Works for a little bit but cheeks, head and chest/back still feels very warm. But I know medicine has worked because she seems more relaxed after it and sleeps from 9pm until 7.30am (wakes 1-2 for breast feeding). She just wants to cuddle and breastfeed all day in my arms. She also had her 1 year vaccinations last week. Which is when the flu symptoms started.

I have not been to GP because she is feeding, wet nappies, sleeping well, not lethargic or disorientated. Not gone hospital either because of same reasons.

But the last 2 hours, she got new symptom: rash!

Anyone experienced this? When I press down with glass, it disappears. 100% taking her to GP tomorrow morning because it has been few days with high temp , but now thinking because of rash, it is time to go Hospital? I am monitoring the rash now, if it increases I will go straight away but I want to avoid hospital if they will not actually help and just say give her more Calpol.

My past experiences with 2 other kids has been like this. My DS1 had terrible temperature during teething - ambulance had to come and take him outside naked in middle of February in 2021. But no rash.

guess I am just worried about the rash tbh…I am watching her closely…anyone experienced this rash with their little one? What was the cause of it? How long was it there for? Did it increase? Decrease? Suddenly go?

Thanks to all!

OP posts:
changerlot · 23/03/2023 18:36

Looks like t might be chicken pox?

TheMildManneredMilitant · 23/03/2023 18:38

Looks like chicken pox (usual disclaimer - not a medical professional). Normal to be ill before spots break out.

Harping0n · 23/03/2023 18:41

Looks like possibly chicken pox. A pharmacist could probably take a look too. Maybe do that first before Gp appointment.

wobblymum1 · 23/03/2023 19:03

Agree it looks a chicken pox rash and not a meningitis rash (especially if it disappears under a glass)

bethia0477 · 23/03/2023 19:25

Please be careful if it’s chickenpox as I’m sure you can’t take nurofen/Ibuprofen due to inflammatory reaction. Check with a Pharmacist.

Freshair87 · 23/03/2023 19:36

That's definitely chickenpox! It's a common symptom to get a cold and temp a few days before the spots appear. As pp says do not give ibruprofen/nurofen this makes it a lot worse

Coffeellama · 23/03/2023 19:38

Looks and sounds like chicken pox, don’t give ibuprofen. But if you are in any doubt phone 111

LittleBearPad · 23/03/2023 19:38

That’s almost certainly chicken pox.

Once the spots get itchy an oat bath works wonders. Also as others say avoid ibuprofen.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 23/03/2023 19:39

Yeh that's chicken pox and she's likely had the virus on her system for two weeks.

Get some calamine cream from boots to slather on.

User1438423 · 23/03/2023 19:43

Agree that it looks like chicken pox and the symptoms match up. She doesn't need a GP for chicken pox.

Marchforward · 23/03/2023 19:47

Chicken pox! Don’t take her to a pharmacy or other public place. Stop the ibuprofen. Poxocillin or virasooth are good. You can also give piriton to reduce the itching.

Rockgirl84 · 23/03/2023 19:47

Definitely like the others have said,looks like chicken pox.
Maybe get doctors advice tomorrow even if a telephone appointment.
Hope the little one gets better soon hun

staybyyou · 23/03/2023 20:01

Yes my immediate thought was chicken pox, they are quite often coldy for a few days before so that ties in. The spots will come out pretty quickly now and then will pop and scab over. Agree with a pp about virasoothe and poxcillin, and piriton. Calamine after regular oat baths also really helped calm mine DC down on the worst couple of days.

DDDN · 23/03/2023 21:05

Thanks everyone for all the quick replies. After my post, I took her for cool bath and now her temperature is down. Moisturised her. Cool chest, head and mildly warm forehead. Walking around, playing a little. Laughing a little. Few sips of apple juice. Made her favourite smoothie and she had a few sips of that too.

the spots have changed. More but more defined…I think you are all quite right - chickenpox! None of my children has had chickenpox…well except maybe now or maybe it is the vaccine side affect…

Soooo reassuring to see all your messages. Feel much better…plan: stop Ibuprofen as you all mentioned. Continue with one more dose of paracetamol. GP in the morning. If worse/new symptoms tonight, straight to emergency….

💐💐 for everyone!

OP posts:
SNWannabe · 23/03/2023 21:09

Unlikely to need anything emergency. It’s chickenpox and she’s not too poorly by the sounds of things.

DDDN · 23/03/2023 21:10

Careerdilemma · 23/03/2023 19:44

I had a read of this. She had the MMR 9 days ago. I think this or chickenpox is the most likely causes of her rash/illness.

The nurse did not mention a rash at all. She is also the one who gave my 2.5 year old all his vaccines…she also said temp
will only be for 1 day…seems my daughter had delayed temp etc.

Thank you!!

OP posts:
DDDN · 23/03/2023 21:15

SNWannabe · 23/03/2023 21:09

Unlikely to need anything emergency. It’s chickenpox and she’s not too poorly by the sounds of things.

And getting better as I post. Since I posted she has magically improved…I wonder if the rash has something to do with it? Its like the temp forced it out or something 😂😅😅

if it is chickenpox - god help me! Got 2 more kids who will likely catch it. A trip to GP tomorrow will give me an exact diagnosis…
I am soo relieved I do not have to go to emergency!!

OP posts:
34and3 · 23/03/2023 21:19

Day 9-14 post mmr is very common for a rash. It's harmless, not itchy and fades within about 72 hours

Caneloalvarez · 23/03/2023 21:27

My toddler had a bad reaction to MMR vaccine called ITP where her platelets went very low and she developed a rash of purple bruise like blotches. It’s quite serious, but your toddlers rash doesn’t really look like the rash my dd had. But worth keeping an eye. If you Google ITP rash you’ll see the type I mean.

Sometimes my little one gets a few hive type spots but then they disappear and she’s fine! Fingers crossed it’s nothing serious, they love to keep us on our toes! :)

theysaiditgetseasier · 23/03/2023 22:15

Chicken pox I'd say, it's rife at the moment and my dd has it along with half her class

bethia0477 · 23/03/2023 22:35

If its chickenpox I found Poxclin mouse the best for soothing my children’s spots.

SofiaAmes · 23/03/2023 22:39

If it's chicken pox, you should NOT take her to the GP as you will then expose everyone there to it.

Confused as you mentioned the vaccination. Have your dc's been vaccinated for Chicken Pox?

Careerdilemma · 23/03/2023 22:44

DDDN · 23/03/2023 21:10

I had a read of this. She had the MMR 9 days ago. I think this or chickenpox is the most likely causes of her rash/illness.

The nurse did not mention a rash at all. She is also the one who gave my 2.5 year old all his vaccines…she also said temp
will only be for 1 day…seems my daughter had delayed temp etc.

Thank you!!

I had no idea until my little one ended up with all of the side effects listed after his one year jab. Because all the side effects of the different components kick in at different times he was really poorly for a good month in all. Nightmare! Although presumably less so than him getting all the diseases.

DDDN · 23/03/2023 23:27

SofiaAmes · 23/03/2023 22:39

If it's chicken pox, you should NOT take her to the GP as you will then expose everyone there to it.

Confused as you mentioned the vaccination. Have your dc's been vaccinated for Chicken Pox?

yeah I need to consider GP may not want to see her if it is chickenpox…Maybe I need to also not let my 8 year old and 2 year old go school/nursery. Both kids are fine.

So 9 days ago, she had her 1 year vaccine which is 4 injections. One of it was new one: MMR. Been reading up and seems a rash can occur. She has not had chickenpox vaccine.

I’m going to call GP tomorrow if the rash is still there and increasing. If it has disappeared and she feels fine then leave it…if chickenpox, stock up on those medicines everyone has recommended. 👍

OP posts: