Can measles ever look like chicken pox spots?

[DoNotsAntlers]

My dd3 (2.6) has a few spots which have similarities to chicken pox - but for various reasons I am not convinced it is chicken pox.

Someone at work suggested that it may be a mild case of measles - but all the pictures I have seen are more of a generalised rashy rashy rather than a spotty rash IYSWIM. She has about 10-12 spots mostly on her limbs.

sounds more like cp to me

I think you are right that it sunds moer like chicken pox.

But
she has had chicken pox
She has only 1 spot on her torso
it has not spread rapidly (she had 2-3 spots on Thurs then a few more appeared yesterday)
they are not really becoming push filled and just scab over rather than crust over and ooze

No they look different.

Other things can mimic chickenpox though. DS1 was misdxed with chickenpox when he actually had eczema herpeticum (eczema infected with the herpes virus). That started with a few blisters then spread rapidly. I think there are some pics on my profile- although it ended up going all maky s hard to see really.

Hand foot and mouth can look similar too (but not on torso).

Could be impetigo I guess??? Or molluscum???

she has had molluscum - I don't think it is that - it is too inflamed

Doesn't look like the impetigo pics either.

It doesn't look unlike bites TBH - but why so broadly spread in the sense that it affects all of ther limbs. Surely a series of bites would be in a cluster.

The pics of eczema herpeticum also look a little too widespread compared to what we are seeing - although it is obviously the worst cases which make the case studies found on the web.

Have a look at the eczema herpeticum on my profile.

DS1's started with a cluster of small blisters on his chest. When it spread it went whoosh so he literally went from that to covered in less than 12 hours.

The key apparently is that the blisters are in small pits, although the clearest ones in our case were on his legs- - thhey were much drier there and each little blister was sort of sunken a little bit.

If there's any possibility it could be eczema herpeticum don't hesitate to go to a doctor and say 'could this be eczema herpeticum'. Most are not very familiar with it, and it can be fatal.

measles don't produce the blisters like in chicken pox.

It doesn't sound like measles to me. I had it and was covered out of nowhere, and they didn't really scab up much.

It's probably viral but I'd get it checked oput to be sure what it is.

They are not in clusters though.

And it is not rapidly spreading

He had a small number of blisters for about 5 days iirc (although it was 8 years ago so that's rusty).

It's probably not it. I always mention it to people with blisters because it can be fatal and isn't always recognised by doctors (so they need to be asked).

I left DP to get it checked whilst I was at work...and he didn't.

I am sure that he will wait for me to come home from work and call an ambulance if any of them stop breathing or anythign more serious - in fact he did ignore the fact that one of them was severely dehydrated once...

what about calling nhs direct?

No worries - I think that you have pointed it out to me before when she did have a herpes infection which she transferred to her skin (I vaguely remember you emailing me some pics - probably when I did have another username).

I really don't think it is that - but I am open to suggestions cos I am at a loss...

I have done the checklist thing on NHS direct and whenever I have called them in the past they hace just gone through EXACTLY the same checklist - so I am not convinced they will add value to what I have already done.

Allergy? I get little blisters when I wear medical type latex gloves.

dunno....but I would have liked DP to get her checked today - as she may be able to go to nursery if it is bites etc.

I only really asked as I was worried about measles and there has been a case of measles at her nursery.

With measles the child is ill before the spots (with a temp and cough) then when the rash starts (stands behind ears/then forehead then moves down) the child's temperature usually shoots up and they really feel quite rotten.

The rash is flat and sort of runs together- blotchy as well.

If she's been exposed to measles I'd give her some cod liver oil.

why cod liver oil?

I don't know which room the measles affected child was in.

has she not had the mmr?

(not judging, two of mine haven't!)

When I had measles I did feel lousy before, but felt a lot better once the spots came out! I wouldn't depend on her feeling unwell to completely rule it out.

I do agree about nhs direct too, jsut thought might be worth a try because they usually know of any viral type things going around.

yes she has had MMR

cod liver oil contains vitamin A in the form of retinol. Best treatment for measles (studies done on iv retinol given to people in the developing world, but still I think oral vitamin A in the west won't do any harm - well providing you don't overdose, which you wouldn't with a few spoonfuls of cod liver oil!).