2 year old with rash- anyone know what it might be?

[Cuppatea]

Hi, I'm hoping someone might be able to shed a bit of light on this one for me! DD1 has been complaining of a sore throat, headache and hasn't eaten anything significant since Thursday. She is covered head to toe in a patchy rash that looks like sunburn, but feels rough and bumpy. At first I thought it might be sunburn as she had played in the garden and I had used last years suncream on her. But despite staying indoors yesterday, and being plastered in brand new factor 40 if she did venture out, it has spread and is in areas where the sun couldn't possibly have burnt her (armpits, nappy area, etc.) It seems really itchy and hot to touch. Should I be worried? Do you think I should get it checked out?

bump, anyone?

Has she been exposed to any chemicals you use in the garden? Anything that goes on the grass, or any spraying (commercial or domestic)

She might also have a seasonal allergy.

I would get her checked out.

not measles is it? It's been going around.

Thanks Papillon! No, we haven't really done any gardening as yet this year. I gave her some hayfever/allergy medication yesterday morning as I thought she might have a bit of hayfever, but to no avail. i'm phoning the doctors now!

She has had MMR. Can she still catch measles?

mate of mine took her child to hospital the other day cos it looked like she might have measles and has had MMR.

It was not measles though... but it is hard for doctors to know cos it not so common these days

Sandpapery rash could be scarlet fever/scarletina. My ds1 had scarlet fever at 5 years old. Check inside her mouth cuppatea does her tongue look coated or look like a 'strawberry tongue'? They should have anti-b's for scarlet fever.

Thanks, SMBK - yes, we've been searching the symptoms on t'internet and it sounds suspiciously like scarlet fever to me. The out of hours doctor is calling us back. Poor little thing really wants to eat, but can't swallow anything (even yoghurt).

Hope she's feeling better soon cuppa. My ds1 was quite poorly for the first few days. GP didn't have a clue when I took him along - it was my mum who recognised the rash and another GP confirmed it.

gosh, hope she's feeling better soon. How on earth does once catch scarlet fever i wonder, and who from?

Mine has the MMR and had measles, sounds like it is, from your description.

Has she had a slight fever, and runny nose ??

Yes, she has been quite snotty and hot. We took her down to the walk in clinic (as it is saturday our GP is closed!) and the doctor there (who didn't inspire much confidence!) says it is tonsilitis coupled with an allergic reaction to something.I think it's too much of a coincidence to have 2 completely seperate illnesses occur on the same day. I still think it's scarlet fever or measles but he has given us some anti-biotics and told us to give her piriton for the rash. I'm going to get her looked at properly on monday. Does anyone think I ought to try and get her seen before that? Is there any risk with leaving, say measles, untreated another 48 hours?

if it is measles, Vit A rich foods and cod liver oil -vit A again, can help recovery. In hospital they give Vit A intravenously for measles. I wouldn't worry unless her temp is very high and you can't get it down.

it does annoy me when doctors don't consider measles because of vaccination. And tonsilitus combined with an allergic reaction? Hmmm, i would also think that is quite a coincidence.

Thanks Ruty (and everyone else for your help!) I'm utterly convinced it's not an allergy plus tonsillitis. The rash is no better than this morning. There are still the large sunburn looking bits, but now her arms and face have erupted in spots. Her little cheeks look slapped, but round her mouth is pale. Will use the antibiotics and see what happens.