A Bad Case of the Spots

My son used to get scarletina (not Scarlet Fever) with almost every ear infection and high fever when he was a baby and toddler. If I am running a fever I will also break out in a rash on my chest and upper back. Scarletina does require antibiotics because it is a symptom of an infection elsewhere in the body. It does not itch (or didn't with my son), but needs to be evaluated by a doctor so that s/he can find the underlying cause of the rash. Following is a link for more information on Scarletina. http://www.drhull.com/EncyMaster/S/scarletina.html

Where are the spots located? And did your 4 yr old recently have some sort of throat infection that your 4 yr old is now over?

my son had some. they usually start on the palms of hands and bottom of feet. when we took him in they said it was cox sachie virus also known as foot and mouth disease but it should go away on its own. they said its nothing serious unless it they start to look like bruises. and he might run fever but just alternate motrin and tylenol. but they said it takes 7-10 days to go away.

My 11 yr old step daughter had spots related to a fever so I thought and less than a week later her tonsils were swollen. It turned out to be strep throat. I would just keep a close watch on her temperature.

When my daughter had that it turned out to be hives. We took her to the doctor because they were on her face and neck. If they are not on face and neck you could probably start out with Benadryl and just watch closely for additional symptoms.

There are a handful of viruses that often begin with congestion and end with a rash. You might call the pediatrician. They'll want to know where the spots are, the color, whether they're raised or flat, etc.

Did you use a new towel to dry him/her off after their bath last nite? That's what happened to my son when he as that age. I had bought new bath towels and was lazy and did not wash before I used the first time. He was covered the next day in spots. Benadryl should reduce them and it should clear up in 24 hours if that's the case.

roseola, maybe? possibly ringworm although this normally itches.

My best guess would be either hives of foot and mouth. It does not sound like measles to me. You might want to give your pedi. a call just to double check. But I think that Benadryl is your best bet.
R.

Sounds like Measles. I thought with the shots today they do not get them. Does he have all his shots? G. W