3 year old with rash

[k8bailey]

Hello, my (almost) 3 year old has a rash - started May 28th on her forehead, then spread over her face and neck. Not very obvious to look at, but her skin feels like sand paper. Over the last few days it has begun to leave her face and spread onto her chest, and back, and looks more obvious.

Her skin is now very dry and flaky in places where the rash has been and she's a bit more moody than usual, but the rash is very itchy. She's aslo had a slightly runny nose the last 3 days but other that that seems well in herself.

She saw the GP yesterday and although she wouldn't be examined, he said it was probably viral, and prescribed piriton

If it's viral how long should it take to run it's course? will it continue to move down her entire body (at this rate that'll take weeks)
Will the piriton make any difference? I thought it was just to stop her feeling itchy. And how long should she take the piriton for?

I would've asked the GP all of this but i was at the hospital with my youngest, so the OH took spotty girl to docs and didn't ask any questions!

[redcrx]

hi k8, im wondering if it could be a heat rash or perhaps an ecsema thats flared due to the hot weather we did have.

why not see if a pharmacist may have a quick look.

[Sqad]

It does sound viral.
The Piriton will ease the itching and take it s long as she is itching.
Yes it might spread...particularly if blisters form (chicken pox).

[k8bailey]

heat rash was my first thought, but aren't they ususally quite short lived? Saw a pharmmacist last week who advised me to apply E45 and see the Gp if it was still there 5 days after it started.

Chicken Pox?! That's all I need - we're going on holiday on the weekend.
I just didn't think that a virus wouldn't have lasted so long.

[Sqad]

k8.....all good points.....just realised the rash is 2 weeks old............hardly viral, unlikely to be chicken pox, heat rash lasting a fortnight (not likely)

Let's wait and see......nothing else to do ;-)

[k8bailey]

Thanks Sqad

[Sqad]

k8....well?......how is the rash today?

[k8bailey]

Still there, nearly all gone from her face though which is now really dry. It's spread a little further down her chest. I'm not sure the piriton is helping at all.

If it were an allergic reaction would it move around the body?

[Sqad]

k8...that pattern is not typical of allergy.

It will soon clear up and if she is well in herself, it will have to go down as "unknown" ;-)

[k8bailey]

Only mentioned allergies becuase she has a few - cows milk protien, some sunscreens and possibly penecillin. The rash is similar to the the one she gets if she has too much dairy, but much more widespread and has lasted longer.

She seems well enough, been a bit moody and easily upset lately but then I suppose I'll have to get used to that!

Thanks again for the advice :)