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Children's health

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Original poster

What is this rash?

15 replies

whatwhhatt · 22/12/2023 19:36

My son (3years old).
Last night I noticed a red mark on his lower back. I asked him if he bumped himself, was it sore, was it itchy. He attends a school nursery. He said no to all. It's not bothering him at all. He's well and has no cold symptoms or illness. Tonight it's redder and raised quite a bit since last night. It feels very rough (again, he doesn't seem bothered by it or even noticed).

I'm going to take him to the pharmacy tomorrow but was just wondering if anyone might have an idea what it might be? I'm mostly worried if it's contagious, as I have other children (my kids never fail to make me realise I haven't seen it all 😅) and obviously it's probably quite a busy weekend to see a doctor!

Tia

OP posts:

Iwishiwasasilentnight · 22/12/2023 19:38

Do you have a photo?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/12/2023 19:38

Is there a photo that didn't attach?

Original poster

whatwhhatt · 22/12/2023 19:45

Apologies. It didn't add the images the first time 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/12/2023 19:47

Looks like something has had a nibble. Have you put some anti histamine cream on it, or Sudacreme?

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 22/12/2023 19:58

That looks like shingles to me. Get a pharmacist to look at it as he may need antivirals ASAP.

Ostryga · 22/12/2023 20:01

Oh bless him, agree that looks like shingles poor wee thing. I’d try and get an out of hours tonight if you can so he can start anti-virals asap as it’s a nasty virus.

Beaaa · 22/12/2023 20:04

When I had shingles, it looked just like that. I had the rash a few days before the discomfort began. I’d take him to get checked.

Original poster

whatwhhatt · 22/12/2023 20:10

Would it be shingles if he is fine in himself and not unwell? Sorry if that sounds stupid but I thought (maybe assumed) shingles were painful and you felt really unwell and he's been on top form all day, not even a runny nose. If I rang 111 do you think they would prescribe antivirals without him having to go to an out of hours doctor? As he's alsleep now 😭

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 22/12/2023 20:13

Has he had chickenpox before?
You only get shingles if you've had chickenpox in the past. If you have chickenpox under 1 year you're more likely to have childhood shingles.

Lastminutebride · 22/12/2023 20:19

Looks just like my daughter’s shingles. She was well, no other symptoms but the rash was incredibly itchy

Lastminutebride · 22/12/2023 20:21

whatwhhatt · 22/12/2023 20:10

Worth a try ringing out of hours. They diagnosed my daughters over the phone and with photos although she was older so don’t know if that makes a difference. They can only have antivirals within a certain timeframe

Oldermum84 · 22/12/2023 20:21

I've recently had shingles that wasn't painful and I wasn't ill. It looked like that before getting redder/angrier.

Original poster

whatwhhatt · 22/12/2023 20:36

He had chickenpox just over a year ago (I think about 14 months ago). I'm going to put my older son to bed and ring 111. Hopefully they can prescribe without having to wake him up.

Thank you for the replies. It would never have crossed my mind it could be shingles (especially at three), or that shingles doesn't always mean you are very unwell.

I will post an update on what they say.

OP posts:

WarriorN · 23/12/2023 08:30

I would honestly get someone to rule out scabies - there seems to have been a bit of a problem with that this year.

And it's not fun to treat but easier if caught early!

Original poster

whatwhhatt · 23/12/2023 17:48

It's shingles- but not presenting as normal (they would expect a larger rash- the doctor was very surprised he had only that patch). Hes been prescribed antivirals. It took 4 pharmacies to find his prescription- apparently there's a shortage just incase anyone needs similar.

Thank you again for the replies. I would never in a million years have thought he had shingles. goodness knows if I would have gotten an appointment for today if I hadn't rang 111 last night and tomorrow would have been too late for the antivirals to be as effective.

He's currently flying around the house like a wild thing, still not bothered by the rash.

OP posts:

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