What on earth is this??

[neverbeenskiing]

A few days ago I noticed that DS 6 had a couple of spots on his back. I thought maybe insect bites. Since Friday more new spots have appeared each day, some on his arms, wrists, a couple on his hip, one on his tummy and one on his face.
He has been snotty and had a bit of a cough since Friday but has been eating, drinking and playing normally. He doesn't seem upset or anything.

He had chicken pox as a baby (about 5 months old), a very mild dose caught off his sister.

I called the GP this morning, they didn't want to see DS in person but asked me to send pictures. He said he doesn't think it's chicken pox as DS had it before. He said it could be eczema, but then said "it's probably viral". I got the impression he had no idea tbh. He said if DS feels well in himself fine to send him to school tomorrow. DS has just shouted me from his bed to say he thinks he can feel some new spots in his armpit. I had a look and sure enough there are several new spots that definitely weren't there earlier today.

Anyone have any idea what the hell this could be, and should I really be sending him into school?
Pic attached

They look pustular? Are they itchy? Have you changed anything recently such as washing powder or new clothes?

Molluscum contagiosum?

When the first ones appeared on his back he said they were a bit itchy, but he hasn't mentioned it since and hasn't been scratching.

Sorry forgot to say we haven't used anything new on his skin, no new washing powder or anything like that

Bed bugs?

Still looks like chicken pox to me.

Any ulcers ? I m thinking maybe hand foot and mouth

Sorry forgot to say we haven't used anything new on his skin, no new washing powder or anything like that

The GP didn't mention that. I've just googled it and his spots don't really look that much like the pictures on the NHS website but I guess it could be. It says it should clear up within 18 months!!

Bed bugs

No ulcers that I can see. No spots in his mouth or on his feet, or his hands, just one on his wrist.

Chicken pox, they can get twice. I would certainly keep them off till a doctor has had a look or see what morning brings

Have you seen a Dr then

Oh god I hope not. I change his bedding very regularly. In fact I changed it yesterday, would that not have stopped new spots appearing today if it was bed bugs? I'm assuming they are too small to actually see?

Might be hand foot and mouth OP

I called the Dr today but they just gave me a phone appointment. They asked for pics of the spots but didn't want to actually see DS at the surgery

Could you see a pharmacist they are usually very good.

I'll be honest they look like chicken pox or Shingles to me. My son who's 14 had Shingles in May, but they tend to follow a nerve line and are itchy and painful. My son had some down his side and along his tummy. Those look as if they have blisters. Children can get Shingles if they've had chicken pox and yes, you can get both more than once. If they don't get any better or more appear, you need your son to be seen in person.

It can definitely be chicken pox and I'm surprised the doctor didn't know that. My nice had it twice and they are more likely to get it again if they had it in the first year apparently, my nice had it the first time around 7 months I think.

Did he start with a sore throat? I had chicken pox as a child and my overwhelming memory is having a sore throat first.

Folliculitis perhaps

The night before the first spots appeared he said his throat hurt "but only when I cough". Then the next day he was snotty and coughing a bit but not much. He hasn't complained of a sore throat again.

Panicking that it might be bed bugs now 😩 the thought makes me feel sick

My two DC both had chicken pox twice, more common than you think to get them twice apparently especially if the first case was mild

One of mine had chicken pox twice. The first time was ultra mild, couple of spots, as a toddler. Then he got it properly a few years later.