How do you confirm chickenpox?

[Mildred01]

I thought my ds had chickenpox, but I’m still not really sure.
We went to the gp on Friday for an unrelated issue and I first noticed the spots on his stomach. They looked like bright red dots, about 4. Gp said it looked like it so watch out for blisters/ fluid inside.
He got a few more over his stomach and some on his face over the weekend but they died down on Monday and just look like flat dark red/ faded spots.

Pharmacist on Monday said no it wasn’t.

Then yesterday a cluster appeared on upper thighs down to knees and about 3 on his face. They looked like they were white or had clear fluid in the middle.
he’s been itching around his pants line and the upper thighs and gets itchy at night but otherwise all completely well in himself, well apart from going stir crazy from staying in since Friday!

I’ve heard you can get it mildly so could this be it?
I had it very badly with lots of scars to show for it!

We were due to have the vaccine in 2 weeks so I just wanted to know if we no longer need it and also how would I know it’s chickenpox. Should I take him back to check or just assume it is?

I will try to attach a picture. Forgot to mention the spots still look white in the middle today but some look flat.

first pic is today and second is yesterday.

It doesn't look like chickenpox to me. Has he been rolling around in grass in the good weather? Possibly midge/gnat bites and would explain the sporadic nature of the appearance. People who are allergic to insect bites will often be much itchier than others.

Doesn’t look like chicken pox

You confirm chickenpox by watching how they develop.

Chicken pox develops over time, increasing each day and going from a red area to a raised blister, to the blister bursting and crusting. Children will have a mix of these over time as they develop at different times.

White in the middle sounds a bit like molloscum (like a pearl in the middle of the bump) but the pictures don't look like this.

Pictures don't look like anything specific - could be bites, could be local irritation - antihistamines might help this, could be viral rash if they've been unwell.

Most things sort themselves out with no treatment needed.

I was always told that CP is a clear blister (clear fluid) and you can check with a torch from the side. If it's filled with yellow or is red in the middle, not CP.

Speak to the nurse before they have the vaccine and show them the pictures if nothing changes.

I imagine they will say have the vaccine anyway especially as it is in with the MMR now. (unless you're having it separately - still speak to them about it)

Thank you everyone. He doesn’t roll in grass but is very outdoorsy. I was really unsure as they haven’t crusted like chicken pox would and aren’t as red as expected.
I will keep an eye on and hopefully we can go back outside now!
Thanks so much xx

GP swabbing the spots for a PCR test is the only way to be sure if the symptoms aren't classic. Now a notifiable disease, so your GP can send away a swab to confirm if they are unsure from the rash www.gov.uk/guidance/chickenpox-as-a-notifiable-disease-information-for-health-professionals

Hi @OtterMummy2024 thank you for the info. I wasn’t going to bother the gp but I may ask now. He has a blood test booked on tomorrow, the hospital phoned and I said yes without thinking.

Does everybody think I should cancel as a precaution and ask the gp to confirm first? I was actually going to call 111 and ask although I know it’s difficult to diagnose over the phone. I just dont know what to do about the blood test now!

Sorry I’m not really clued up! Thank you all.

In my personal experience if you’re not sure then it probably isn’t. We went through this with my two - they had both been exposed then had rashes but not clear chicken pox like - maybe one or two that were more fluid filled. We eventually decided they had it and had to cancel a planned trip. Then bang a year later they both got it and it was pretty darn obvious!