Rashy boy part deux

[mattblakk]

So the rash has spread down both legs from the knees, down to his knees from his crotch, down his arms from the elbows and up into his armpits. It's on both cheeks and both ears now, too. Poor bugger has been pretty miserable. I managed to get him in to an oatmeal bath with liberal application of tea tree oil once he got in the water. He soaked for ages, and I think he felt some relief because once all of the water was gone (his choice), he began to cry. Luckily, Logan arrived just then, and Blake kicked me out of the bathroom. Minutes later, Logan was carrying Blake who was whimpering and clinging to Logan with his face buried in his shoulder. Poor monkey. We couvered him with one of his favorite quilts, and made him a squishy pillow nexst on the couch, and managed to get some cortisone ointment on him. Followed that with the anti-itch liquid.

We're trying to get him to drink some milk laced with benadryl now. His Papa Bear is here, though, so he's not wanting to go to bed. Blake is always happiest when Logan and Patrick and I are all in the house with him. We're approaching the 8:30 hour, but I'm pretty clear that he may have a lot of trouble falling asleep again tonight.

Wish us luck.

Comments

[moonlitglow.livejournal.com]

Oh that's awful! The poor dear. I hope you all get some rest tonight.

[feygele.livejournal.com]

The quick-spreading made me think of my brother, back when he was 7 or 8. He was quickly covered, head to toe, in an itchy rash, that was slightly bumpy/raised. If Blake's is too, it could be as simple as impetigo, which is, thankfully, easy to cure with an antibiotic. (The descriptions and pictures I found of impetigo online look way more severe and scary and gross than I remember it actually being. So don't be too alarmed.)

I hope he feels better!

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

It doesn't look like impetigo to me, and the pediatrician didn't mention it. It does look like the photos online of the Gianotti-Crosti I was able to find online, but the stuff on his elbows is just more intense than any of those photos I saw. God knows he's had every other rash causing common childhood agent, why not this one.

[luckykid13.livejournal.com]

Are you certain it isn't chicken pox?

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

THe pediatrician said she though it definitely wasn't chicken pox, and he's had the vaccine. She also said it didn't look like scabies or shingles.

Thank God for benadryl, and extra distractors. (specifically Patrick showing up with a shit ton of art supplies and Logan being his usual self)

[whitr.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm thinking good rest and fast healing thoughts your way.

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

Thanks. He's still itchy this morning, but at least he managed to sleep.

[androgy8.livejournal.com]

eeegh. That's rough.

Can you take a picture of it & post it?

Childhood eczema comes to mind, particularly given the starting locations.

Hives also come to mind, although it would be unusual for that to last this long.

Also you would want to rule out fifth disease., which is just a mild viral illness accompanied by a rash.

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

He's had fifth disease, RSV, roseola, and several of the other rash causing childhood things. He doesn't have a fever, or any other symptoms, but it's always hard to guess since he can't really describe how he's feeling. Poor guy.

The pediatrician said it wasn't eczema because it started on the backs of his elbows and not in the crook.

Thanks for the help, I'm sure we'll manage to get through, but it always helps to have others on the case as well.

[androgy8.livejournal.com]

The poor kid.

Some mystery rashes when I was a kid required shots of epinephrine to go away. It stopped the allergic reaction, although it was never quite clear what the allergy was. Such a thing only works if it's from an allergic reaction though.

Good luck & good vibes.

[dhydra.livejournal.com]

I'll second the fifth's disease idea and I'm glad you brought out the Benedryl. That stuff works wonders for all kinds of itch relief (even burn relief) and makes a decent sleep aid too for some of us.

Matt, I haven't introduced myself before, but I'm also a parent/caregiver. My teenage son is an asperger/severely mood disordered kid. It's been an odyssey on my end, which makes it easy to admire your fortitude. I'm in great admiration of the extended support you have around you as well. That's something I don't have, which makes some days just downright exhausting.

Best wishes for a quiet day and an improved rash,
Debra
(who's kid wouldn't get out of bed today after yesterday's stimulation)

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

The benadryl is the only thing that helped him sleep last night. He's going to have an interesting day at school. I'll be surprised if he manages to stay.

[dhydra.livejournal.com]

Hi Matt,

Glad he got decent night's sleep. Hope you folks did, too.

Heck, sometimes I take Benadryl when I'm having trouble falling asleep -- works like a charm!

Best wishes,
Debra