Are there any other causes of the underskin pin prick rash other than meningitis?

[Ledodgy]

DD had a vominting bug on Monday which only lasted for 24 hours, she's fine now but still off school today because of the 48 hour rule. I've just noticed that on her back and a bit on her tummy she has an under the skin rash like browny/red dots. Now I get these sometimes when i've been sick under my eyes because of the strain of vomiting but what could cause it on her back and tummy? She did have a little bit on her back on Monday but it was right on her spine The bit that sticks out when they bend over and I just assumed she'd banged it but where it is now I doubt she could have banged all those places iyswim. She is totally well today, no temperature nothing and is bouncing around as usual. She's 5 btw.

Rashes are often associated with viral infections. Have you done the glass test?

Yes it doesn't dissappear that's what I mean it's under the skin but she's fine.

I have heard some people say that chicken pox can start that way. I would call the doctor if you are concerned.

Really? Therre is chicken pox going round her class but we're not sure if she's had it or not. I though cp started looking like insect bites or heat lumps?

I'm not really too concerned as she's fine just a bit puzzled and then thinking perhaps I should be concerned..

I know what you mean, I spend half my time worrying about ds and the other half worrying about not worrying in case I should be worrying!

One friend described her ds's cp as a rash under the skin but usually I think it is more like heat lumps.

Hope it clears up soon.

Ty.

I had a rash like that but was well. It turned out to be a viral thing - purpura or something that sounds like that. NHS direct?

Yeah I was thinking NHS Direct but hate ringing them as they send you to A&E with a spot on your thumb.

hundreds of thing

it is blood under the skin, can be due to injury (eg being banged or can happen in a bag strap mark from carrying bags especially in the heat - I get this a lot!)

With viruses, the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) in the skin get a bit leaky and can cause this - the trauma or vomiting or coughing can make it worse - this is evry common in children.

With septicaemia (severe infection in the blood) either due to menititis or even a urine infection, the capillaries can also go leaky.

There are also a host of other conditions where it can happen too.

If she is 100% well otherwise (ie seems herself, no fever etc) then I would pop her along to the GP this afternoon or tomorrow morning to get it checked, if there are no appointments then ask if the doctor can call you back about "a child who has been sick and now has a rash" the GP won't mind in the slightest.

NHS direct will almost certainly send you to A+E because they use a flowchart that says non-blanching rash = menigitis until proven otherwise. This is very sensible to avoid missing an ill child but impractical when "you know your child and they are fine - but you just want this checked out".

Hope all goes well.

hundeds of things obviously! and numerous other typos too! that'll teach me not to type with aDS on my lap!

Thankyou.

Yes there is another thing or things.

Its called 'pupura' and its the capileries bleeding under the skin.

There are a few kinds one is ITP which is the rash that often comes after the evil MMR.

However, My son got something called Henoch scholien pupura. Which is caused by a number of things, upper respiritory infections, drugs, vaccines, and insect bites. Not to alarm you but you should see your doctor ASAP as you will need to determine if your child has this as bloods will need to be done to check white cell levels. Often it comes along with swelling of the joints, and stomach pain. My son had both the pinprick rash and the full blown blood leaks, it can be fairly serious but the younger the child the better.

www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/henochschonleinpurpura1.shtml

dd had one when molloscum were becoming established

she also had temp. gp sent us up to A&E asap just to be checked over.

It's a petechial rash (caused by damaged capillaries leaking blood under the skin), and there are a variety of causes. Prolonged coughing or vomiting can cause them - my very fair skinned ds gets them whenever he is sick.

I just get these microbleeds under my skin generally - theres quite a few on my arms atm.

Thankyou I think i'll take her to the docs tommorrow.

how are you both today Ledodgy?

Fine thank you Unmad. She went to school and I checked her back when she returned and it's faded alot so must have been a weird viral thing!