Unexplained rash? Can anyone identify the cause?

[PollyPocket8]

Can anyone suggest what this rash may be on my son? It has appeared on his back and his chest. I took him to pharmacy on Friday when it was flat and not red and they prescribed a fungal cream however it has become raised today and a “cauliflower” appearance now I have a newborn so beginning to panic he also catches it.

Have you uploaded a photo?

Hi yes I have sorry it’s waiting to be approved

No photo yet, but when fungal rashes respond to antifungal creams, the appearance usually changes. Hopefully this is what has happened and is a good sign.

I think that should be the image uploaded now

I was initially thinking 'ringworm' but the photos don't match that from what I can see. It's not circular is it?

Has he eaten any new foods? It could be an allergic rash.

Has he brushed up against some nettles or something in the garden?

No to either - it’s only on one side of his body and back and chest and you are right it isn’t in a ring like shape.

I'm not a medic, but as a pharmacist has seen and diagnosed I do agree that it looks fungal.

You will want to do your best to be very careful with hygiene to not spread the fungal infection to others, especially the baby. Good handwashing with soap, not sharing towels where possible, washing laundry at 40 degrees or more, potentially with laundry sanitiser.

Unlike PP, I am seeing what looks like the start of incomplete rings, for ringworm (fungal infection not a parasite).

Keep up with the antifungal, at least until you seek further advice. I assume it is canesten, clotrimazole, or daktarin, miconazole.

No nothing like that. It started as one or two small patches on his back and has spread under armpit and to a patch on his chest.

Thank you for your message, it was good to read that fungal tends to look different as it responds to treatment. I was concerned as it looked like it wasn’t responding to treatment.

I am watching his clothing separately to everyone’s and adding “sports wash” laundry sanitiser as it claims to destroy fungus. I’m also washing my newborns clothing on his own too to be extra cautious and keeping up good hygiene but also on edge as he’s a toddler and into everything.

Has it been itchy to him?

I’ve only seen him attempt to itch his back once however I think he would struggle to reach where it was

Did you take a photo before the fungal cream was applied?

Clothes rub ? School bag on one shoulder ?

walking home sweat rash?

im sure a bit of sudocream will sort it

You're doing all the right things! Hopefully you'll start seeing an improvement very soon.

I remember my son's rash (he had a few times) would get darker, redder and a little puffier as it responded to the cream

If the cream is working make sure you complete the treatment for however long was prescribed after it improves, usually about 5 days after it heals. Otherwise, it might not be killed off and can return.

No unfortunately not as I just took him straight away to the pharmacy

Thank you, I think I’m just on edge due to the newborn and worrying he will catch it as he’s already caught a sniffle from my toddler. I’m sure it will be the first of many though

Unfortunately none of these as he is only two

Well we may never know!

Eczema would be itchy.

Presumably he's happy enough in himself with no other symptoms?

If the cream seems to be working, continue with that. Try to not let him touch the baby - just in case (easier said than done!).

You're a good Mum and doing all the right things.

My son had a rash like this when he was 3, started in the midline of his chest and wrapped round under his arm to the back. It was shingles. Has your son had chicken pox?

It reminds me of the rash I had when I had shingles too! Especially as it’s only one sided.

This was my fear after googling. He hasn’t had chickenpox but has had both doses of the chicken pox vaccine

Thank you 🥲

I think I’ll make a GP appointment first thing

I came here to say the same.

Looks like the rash I get with shingles.

Having it on one side is another shingles characteristic.