viral rashes

[Sugarmagnolia]

I've had a fair amount of experience with viral rashes -DD used to get them all the time, usually at the tail end of an illness. Her whole body would look like it had kind of a fine lacey rash all over. So now DS has a bit of a fever and what I'm told is one of these non-specific viral rashes but it's all raised and bumpy and the skin on his face has gone really dry like sandpaper. I've never seen this before - just wondering if anyone else has?

Sounds like scarlet fever tbh - does he have a sore throat, temperature , vomiting ? - or perhaps slapped cheek/fifth disease (which ahs the lacy rash on the torso and limbs). ds had Scarlet fever then a month later caught a virus and reacted in a similar rash to the first one.

Thanks LIZS I've heard both of those mentioned. He does have a fever but no sore throat or vomitting. In fact the GP checked his throat and his glands yesterday and said they were fine. So probably fifth disease. would I be right in thinking there's no real treatment for it except calpol for the fever and he should be better in a few days?

If it is slapped cheek, yes there is no specific treatment except calpol as required. It is very mild though, and it will get better very soon.

His cheeks are very red but the rash goes all the way down his body right to his toes and fingertips. It's the "bumpyness" of it that's so weird! You can actually feel it.

littlelapin - I assume lots of milk was just because that's what he wanted when he was sick and not because it was supposed to make him better? Only asking because DS can't have milk.

thanks he (DS) seems a little better today although still very tired and still very dry, rough skin everywhere. He's 3 1/2 though so no boob for him!!

So the rash pretty much went away. DS still wasn't quite himself - seemed very tired still and complained that his legs hurt - but the fever seemed gone so I sent him back to nursery Tues & Wed. But when I picked him up yesterday he just didn't look right - his face was all blotchy again and his eyes were really red rimmed. I took his temp when we got home and it was up again. The plan was to keep him home today and try and get the doctor to see him again. This morning though - no fever. So what do I do with him now???? Do I send him to nursery or not?