Photos - 5 year old rash that won’t heal

[catwithnocream]

DS 5 has had a rash for about 3 weeks now, he suffers from eczema but this is in addition to that. Says it’s not that itchy. Started with small white dots inside but almost under the skin not like a spit head. He’s had a course of antibiotic cream but it feels like it’s dried out a bit but if anything looks worse. Tonight he’s saying his knees hurt inside and they look a little swollen and he says it’s hard to stand with his legs fully straight. No temp and eating fine. I’m on an endless hold with 111 and AI isn’t giving me any clues. Tried GP again today and sent photos once but they never called back.

That doesn’t look right, is there not an oohs chemist you can take him to? Couldn’t be scabies could it?

I’d want an urgent referral to Dermatology. Looks so sore. Ring the GP again.

Don’t think it’s scabies because it’s not itching much. The large patch on his neck is his eczema not the new rash

If it is hard to stand ring 111 and explain the whole lot.

111 is a good idea, I hope they pick up soon. Who gave the antibiotic cream - the GP? So you've seen them once already? Or did you go to a pharmacist?

Sorry just saw your update about being on hold - try the online symptom checker but lead on the swollen knees and inability to stand, see what it advises.

Looks like scabies to me. I’m sure I can see burrow marks. It isn’t always itchy.

Finally got through to 111 and they said they’ll get someone to call me back in 12hrs. I think because he’s got no fever with it they don’t seem too concerned. He’s not upset with it but I’m torn whether to go to A&E just to get in front of a doctors are our GP are pretty useless and rarely let you actually go in

Poor lad,that does look sore, is it eczema on his neck? it's very red, with the spread , swelling and the pain he needs to see a doctor, have you heard back from 111.

111 said someone would call me in 12hrs

Other than the antibiotics have you been using any topical treatments, his legs look very dry and the skin thickened, it looks like he would benefit from a lot of emollient, something thick that sits on the skin and is applied at least a couple of times a day to soften the skin.

Dd gets terrible eczema and when it gets bad we have to be really rigorous about putting cetraben or zerobase on several times a day, 2 or 3 baths a week max, lukewarm water, cotton breatheable fabrics and absolutely no scratching.

Hives from a Staph infection in the eczema?

I’d probably want to rule out psoriatic arthritis if his joints seem affected. Poor kid looks in pain regardless. Try and insist on a face to face appointment.

He has a steroid and emollient (epaderm), has they at school too. Good tip about reducing his baths I’ll definitely try that. He also has a dust mite allergy so all his bedding is regularly washed, he’s allowed one teddy which gets put in the freezer regularly to kill the dust mite proteins and anti allergy bedding and I keep his nails short but it’s hard to stop him scratching. I think we might try to pay privately to see a dermatologist to get on top of the eczema, in all the different creams over the years we’ve never fully been able to get it under control

When you bath him OP , put organic porridge in a skin coloured pop sock , not black , the dye will run.
Put it under the running water in the bath , it creates a really creamy lather .
Wash him down with the creamy pop sock , it really helps with eczema, it calms it , where it’s not so red & angry.

With regard to the new rash , I’d be down at my doctors ASAP.

In case anyone comes across this thread looking for answers for their own children our GP prescribed a new steroid and it’s hugely helped, skin is back to normal thickness, his itching has been reduced by about 90% and the red marks now look faded. Fingers crossed we can keep on top of it again.

That looks sore 🥹 hope you get sorted and he feels better soon x

Brilliant update, so lovely he is doing much better.

Oh I am pleased! Was there no repercussions from his knees then? They weren’t swollen after all, or at least just the skin?

Just the skin thickening due to the eczema and some swelling making his knees a bit stiff but all back to normal now thank goodness

Great news, be really vigilant about anti-histamines and stopping his skin drying out. We are entering tree pollen season, then onto grass and flowers so me and DD have started on 1 Claritin a day and will adjust medication as the season progresses and we see what the symptoms are ike this year.