[trishmom2five]

This is my middle of my littles. She gets EVERYTHING, especially if it is weird or rare.

We had her tonsils out just before Thanksgiving, because she had had strep 6 times in the last year...

Now she wakes up with her face looking like this! We went to the Dr, (our normal Dr is on vacation so this is a new Dr, that my current Dr's office recommended) the Dr says...hmmm....interesting. (Not encouraging) Could be related to Scarlet Fever, because of the hives, and there is a small scratch on her face through the middle of this mess, that is "a little" infected, or could be poison ivy. So the Dr runs the strep test, the quick one comes back negative, but we have sent it off to culture, because her throat is very red, her uvula has the stippling, and she appears to have small ulcers where her tonsils were....(lovely, I know).

She has the same rash on her arms and wrists and hands, but NOT on her trunk, which makes me think not STREP related, but the tiny hives are not typical of poison ivy either, and really where would she have gotten into it since being home from school. It's not like we are out in the woods, and everything outside is pretty much dead or dormant.

The Dr wanted to cover all bases. So she is on Steroids, Antibiotics and a cream.

Anyone got a clue what else this might be?

[Susuz]

My DD does that when she has a rampant strep, goes from no symptoms, neg quick strip (but positive longer culture) to rash. Are the ulcers (throat) white or red centers? There is another viral infection that kids get that can do that.

Is she current on all her vaccinations? measles are making a comeback because of the number of un-vaccinated kids now days. Ditto on chicken pox... How old is your DD? Are the bumps on her face filled with fluid? Itchy? When I was 13 I got the chicken pox (before vaccinations) and had the pustules in my throat, in my stomach, palms of my hands and soles of my feet! The older you are the sicker you will be with the chicken pox!

Also with the rash (except that it is not on her trunk) it could be something called Fifth's disease, my DD had it last year and it went around her school. In adults the symptoms can be pretty debilitating, but kids usually just the rash, fever.

It doesn't really look like poison ivy, and it doesn't matter if it is dead or dormant, if you come in contact with the vines (on firewood, rolling on ground, etc) you can still get the rash. It is from contact with the sap, which doesn't go away from the stems, but it sounds like the Dr. hit the "shotgun" approach, don't know exactly what it is but hit it with everything! Sounds like you are covered no matter what it is. Good luck!

[trishmom2five]

She's 6, has had all her vaccines. The ulcers are red in the center... The bumps are VERY itchy, and as she rubs they grow and spread like crazy.
I've stripped all the bedding, just in case it is poison ivy, sumac, or oak, and hoping that between the variety of drugs and creams we can nip this thing in the bud.

[Maggiew]

Good luck!

I hope the medicines help-but I know it is so hard when you don't have the answers from the doctors.

[Maggiew]

Is shingles a possibility?

[vnvcoupon]

Could it be an allergic reaction? My neice has a peanut allergy, and the first time she ate peanut butter, her entire face swelled up. The allergy could apply to anything; peanuts, dairy, cocoa, bees, etc. The scratch could be her scratching the irritation, and not related to the infection. Usually, the doctor is able to recognize the syptoms right away, and will often question the child's most recent diet... so I could be way off. Those are just my thoughts since it reminds me of what my neice looked like.

[Runningincirclesx3]

it looks like a allergic reaction to me to,

[Goddessoflubbock]

That picture...my daughter looked just like that - it was called "fifths disease".

She is my oldest (30 now) and caught all the weird stuff.

I've been couponing for 30+ years. I can't imagine ever shopping without them

[trishmom2five]

teehee, looks like you guys agree with the Dr...hmmm interesting. I do feel better knowing the general public has seen the symptoms be a billion things. Makes the Dr look more competent . Thanks!

[joshmamabear]

Is the child afebrile and does her normal activities? If so, fifth disease is a possibility with the accompanying cutaneous eruptions. Other viral exanthems (caused by Epstein Barr, rubeola, rubella, enterovirus, etc) may also be considered until a specific diagnosis is reached. Viral infections are usually self limiting, so that if the patient's immune system is supported enough to fight it, patient gets well with just bed rest and good nutrition. For now, keep an eye on her for spikes in temperature and make sure she doesn't start scratching to prevent secondary bacterial infections of the lesions.

I hope she gets well soon

[trishmom2five]

She is completely normal other than the rash and swelling...she complains about everything just like she has always done she plays and fights with her sisters just like normal too
Seriously, I would be beyond freaked out if she was outside of her normal parameters. I keep asking her how she feels, if it hurts, etc...she looked at me and said "Mom, why are you so worried about me? It just itches. You worry too much." She's 6 and just told me to stop worrying about her...she's obviously fine