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Children's health

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Original poster

As if I haven't spent enough time at the doctors recently....

30 replies

bamzooki · 03/10/2008 16:56

Will be going to docs in a while, but any ideas about this?

DS 5yrs, has redness on his face, mostly under his eyes, swollen puffy eyelids - like he has been crying for ages, a huge gland on one side of his neck, fluidy puffiness at the end of his foreskin and red skin generally around scrotum and bottom, red patch over armpit area and complains of soreness in shoulders/won't lift arms very far, vague rash over his back and a fair cough with catarrh, and generally seems to feel pretty crappy.

Things like Slapped Cheek, Mumps etc have been suggested, but don't seem quite right, and I'm almost wondering if he has 2 things - like a cold/fluey thing, plus food allergy, not that there is any history of that.

Any ideas - out of curiosity?

OP posts:
moonmother · 03/10/2008 17:03

My DD has these same symptoms, I don't mean to alarm you but she was diagnosed with mumps on Monday this week.

Subsequentially Ds and yesterday Dp also came down with it.

Might be a good idea to ask the docs if you can wait somewhere other than the waiting room just in case?

3kids1cat · 03/10/2008 17:05

No ideas sorry, but lots of sympathy. Hope your Gp can shed some light on it, and your ds gets better soon.

Original poster
bamzooki · 03/10/2008 18:41

OK well after examination by the nurse, who then summoned a Dr, who did a fair bit of 'Hmm'ing and 'interesting', they also discovered that his throat and tonsils are also covered in 'exudate', tho he hadn't mentioned it being sore, and his skin was blistering/coming off in patches if scratched round his face and neck.
The swollen foreskin also had developed a discharge, and apparently is the key to this.

He has a heavy Streptococcal infection, most likely originating in the foreskin area, which has spread and caused all the other issues. So we have yet more antibiotics, which I hate, and a strong dose too apparently. But I'm to keep watch and get him looked at again if things don't improve swiftly, so I guess the doc wasn't 100% convinced.

moonmother - you sound like you have your work cut out for you right now - mumps can be nasty in adults can't it?

OP posts:
moonmother · 03/10/2008 18:47

Our Doc's wasn't 100% either, and had to go get another partner to confer with, they're pretty sure thats was it is tho.

Yeah, it's been a bundle of laughs here this week, and the next week will be much of the same...(cabin fevers kicking in with me

Luckily Dc's not too ill with it, just alot of lazing on the sofa.Dp's symptoms on the other had have only just started, I'm hoping he'll get off as lightly as the Dc's.

Hope the AB's kick in quickly, he must be feeling very uncomfortable, bless him.They should sort him out pretty quickly.

Original poster
bamzooki · 03/10/2008 22:27

oh it's horrible - the poor mite - the skin under his arms has obviously been festering all day - nice and warm, and is so sore that just parting the skin hurts, and when it does, generally some of it lifts off.

Just taking his t-shirt off took skin off his forehead.

He has just woken screaming because he obviously tried to turn over in his sleep and moved his arms. Think of the worst sunburn you can and it seems the skin is that sore. His lips are also cracking and like leather.

I think I will wait up until I can give him another dose of medicine. I wonder if i should take more advice? Just don't really feel like tackling NHS Direct atm. The doc we saw did say that he would get some skin peeling, but I thought it would be later on as things calmed down.

Could be a long night methinks.

OP posts:
Tiggiwinkle · 03/10/2008 22:35

Presumably the doctor is treating it as Scarlet Fever, which is a reaction some people have to a strep infection-usually in the throat, but can originate elsewhere.
Another disease which can cause similar symptoms is Kawasaki Disease. Have a look at the symptoms on google-if you are concerned, I would seek further advice, at A and E if necessary.

wuglet · 03/10/2008 22:43

How much of his skin is involved with the blistering/peeling?
If it is a lot there is also something called staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome which may need treatment with IV antibiotics.
Does he have a fever/is he unwell in himself? If so I would err on the side of getting him checked over again if you are concerned when you give him the next dose.

Original poster
bamzooki · 03/10/2008 23:40

Well - having perused, with pounding heart, pages on the subjects - Scarlet Fever- he has no fever (only v slightly raised), no headaches, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pains etc so I don't think it would be that.
The scalded skin one seems to be very specific about the fluid filled blisters that burst and peel, but he does not have that. And from the pictures doesn't really look the same.
Kawasaki Disease is closest, but again no high fever, which is a main diagnostic element according to what I read.

He has peeling patches on his face, in and behind his ears, and under his arms, where he has rubbed or scratched the skin.
It seems to be mainly under his arms that is distressing him most, where he has kept them clamped close all day, and I'm guessing the bacteria have had a field day. So fingers crossed that the medication kicks in soon.

If all the dodgy areas do eventually peel he's going to look like an alien soon!

OP posts:
moonmother · 04/10/2008 09:03

OOh poor little thing, he must be so sore, I would ring NHS Direct to see if there is anything you can do to ease the skin symptoms, ie cream, bathing etc.

Original poster
bamzooki · 04/10/2008 11:46

Update - seen another doc this am, and they are admitting him to hospital for IV antibiotics, query the Scalded skin thing.

He now has large areas of raw skin where blisters have come off rather than burst but either way is agony for him.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 04/10/2008 11:48

oh bamzooki. Poor him. I hope the IV antibiotics sort him out quickly.

wuglet · 04/10/2008 18:42

Oh hope he gets better soon. Have seen a few kids with this and they have all responded well to the IV antibiotics. Thinking of you too is awful to have a little one admitted x

Original poster
bamzooki · 04/10/2008 22:42

will be short as on my phone. Scalded skin syndrome confirmed. Hideous - his skin is just sliding off. We are in burns unit, and he had morphine for pain relief, and is sleeping for the first time in so long, can't tell you what a relief it is to see him relaxed, even tho he looks so awful.
We'll be here a few days so will update when I can. Thanks for your kind words.

OP posts:
wuglet · 04/10/2008 22:51

Good luck with it. Whereabouts are you - presume this is your local hospital that has a burns unit and you haven't been transferred miles away from home.
Glad he is getting proper pain relief too.
Sounds like he is getting the best care possible and now it is just a case of waiting for the meds to kick in and him to get better x

foxinsocks · 05/10/2008 09:38

Good luck. Well done for being so vigilant.

As wuglet says, sounds like he's in the right place and I hope his skin starts healing soon. Poor lad.

moonmother · 05/10/2008 18:05

Bamzooki thinking of you all, and hoping he's better soon, least there he can get all the treatment he needs.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 05/10/2008 18:25

Oh gosh bamzooki - only just seen this. SSS is horrible. Your poor boy. Look after yourself too.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 05/10/2008 20:51

poor lad and poor you - sending huge (and v. gentle) hugs. I hope he is improving rapidly now.

DesperateHousewifeToo · 05/10/2008 21:12

Hope he recovers quickley

morocco · 05/10/2008 21:15

poor ds

hope he is on the road to recovery very soon.

Sexonlegs · 05/10/2008 21:17

God, that sounds awful. Poor little lamb Really hope he is better soon and that you are ok too.

spudballoo · 05/10/2008 21:21

Oh my word, your poor poor poor lovely boy. How upsetting for everyone but it sounds like he is definitely in the right place. IV antibiotics are scary but work so fast, and if he's sleeping then he's healing which is all the the good.

Hope you can get out of there an home fast.

Original poster
bamzooki · 07/10/2008 15:23

I have just popped home to resupply etc, and get a couple of hours sleep, so thought I'd take the chance to update.

TMI ALERT

We have had a difficult couple of days where DS was very poorly, and seemed to only lose yet more skin, form new blisters, and obviously be in a lot of pain, not helped by the difficulties in maintaining IV access - his skin is too delicate, and breaks down round any canula site, and any adhesive tape or fastening just takes the skin with it.
However the last 12 hours have seen a fairly dramatic turnaround. The docs gave up with the IV's and are giving everything orally which he is tolerating well, and this morning is feeling much brighter - enough to be cheeky, and feel happy to move around more.
There will be a combined consultant assessment of him on Thurs, so we will be there till at least then, but there is an outside chance apparently that he may be allowed home after that if he is progressing well. Which will be a relief if only because as we are in an isolation room, he is not allowed in the playroom, and we can only have those toys/activites in with us that can be cleaned or burned, so cabin fever is likely to become an issue I expect. (the reason of isolation is for the sake of the other patients on the burns ward who don't need this on top of their current injuries, rather than it being a public health hazard!)

Thank you all for your thoughts and kind words - its so lovely to come back to.

OP posts:
Original poster
bamzooki · 07/10/2008 16:28

wuglet - yes it is our local hospital - but as we are in the sticks that still means a 30 mile drive, and his dad is coming 70 miles.
But the staff - at Leics Royal Infirmary - have been amazing. Caring, professional efficient etc, - everything that anyone could hope for.

OP posts:
wuglet · 07/10/2008 19:17

Glad to hear things are improving, sounds like it has been a complete nightmare for you.
Fingers crossed for Thursday!

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