Chicken pox

[weeG]

How long before first spot and then full outbreak. Daughter has had a few appearing for 2 weeks and only today has got lots (only today have thought of possibility of chicken pox) Have had her at GP 2x since first spot thinking it was impetigo but no diagnosis given. Ta .Will be back at GP asap

chicken pox is normally over and done with within about a week - from spots appearing to them crusting over - doesnt sound like CP to me if it has been going on for 2 weeks.

Thats what I thought , but spots today are very similar to ones at the start 2 weeks ago. Now looks just like photos of chicken pox on internet..wierd. Hope its not 2 different things going on. Suppose to be going away this weekend to posh hotel for dads 70th birthday... not now double feck!!!

Spots normally appear very rapidly. All spots are normally out within 3 days. I would say that it is highly unlikely to have been chicken pox on both occassions.

What about insect bites. My DD has recently suffered a series of flea bits - which don't look dissimilar to chickpox. That could fit the pattern you describe. I assume they are like tiny lumps/blisters surrounded by a red rash about 1-2cm across?

They were tiny blisters surrounded by red rash and yes about 1cm. Mainly in nappy area and inner thigh. About 4/5 at the start. The tiny blister would burst leaving red patch of skin. First thought impetigo as friend said looked similar hense first trip to GP. Given fusidin but he said didnt think it was impetigo. Then other DD got imetigo (actually quite different as spots all in a cluster). Thought it was bit of a coincidence. took her to GP aski again about first DD spots (still appearing but very few- about 8) again no diagnosis made just told to keep using antibac cream . Today now has about 20 spots. So latest spots have appeared rapidly just a very slow start - spots look same though.

From your description (and I stress that it is in no way a replacement for a face to face diagnosis) I would be suspiscious of insect/flea bites initially - perhaps for both of your DDs. Do you have any pets?

molluscum contagiosum?

My DD got a temp plus 3 spots and within 2 days was covered.

Thanks for replies. GP today diagnoses chicken pox and impetigo. Not a great situation given impetigo is so infectious and she is basically a walking chicken pox sore. The open chicken pox sorescould now get infected and impetigo could spread. Given antibiotics but the little rascal wont take it. Managed to get first one in but now we have total refusal as it tastes terrible. Have tried to hide it in yoghurt, juice, strawbery milk- no success. Wouldnt even take paracetamol tonight and we fear a fever is brewing. Very stressed about it all.

Oh dear... sorry for you and your little "rascal". Hope things improve soon. Found Bicarb of soda helped in DD bath for C pox. Don't know about how that works with impetigo though.

WeeG - i bet the ABs you have are Flucloxacillin (bright red/orange one)? They are foul - and unfortunately have to be taken on an empty stomach (IIRC) - so even if you could hide it in yoghurt - it would be a bad move.

If you cannot get them to take it - go back and ask for an alternative - yes it is the best AB for skin infections (but also the cheapest according to my friendly GP) - but my rationale is that it doesn't do much good when it is coating my sofa! They should be able to prescribe something else like Erythromycin.

Piriton is v good for the chicken pox - but unfortunately also tastes fooul