My 6 year old has developed some sort of rash over parts of his face and body that looks very much like permanent goosebumps. They don't bother him - no itching or anything - and they're hard to see unless you him in certain lighting since they're flesh-colored and tiny. What the heck is this?? I noticed it a couple of nights ago and I don't know if it's related but this past Thursday, he had a fever and sore throat that lasted for about 3-4 days. The fever/sore throat is long gone but now the bumps are here. Anyone know what this is? Should I make a trip to the doctor? Thanks!
turned out to be heat rash!
Nope. Haven't had this. Molluscan is white pimples. Eczema is usually red.
I would go to a dermatologist. The fever and sore throat that are preceded by a rash? There is something going on internally.
The trouble with rashes and skin problems is, they really need to be looked at and not just described. I wouldn't fool around with lotions and creams - sometimes things like that just compound the problem, you know? I wouldn't panic at all, but I think it makes sense to see the pediatrician. Some doctors will let you send in a cell phone photo for a quick look-see to decide if you need to come in or to try something topical, but since you say these bumps are hard to see except in certain light, I don't think that technique will work for you. If you need a dermatologist, the pediatrician can refer you to someone familiar with kids.
Well yeah..... I would go to the Dr. Why would you not? It's only his health!
I'd probably ask my pedi first but still follow up with a dermatologist.
It could be eczema, it could be anything. I would take him to a dermatologist or to my pediatrician to figure out what's going on.
Good Luck!
To me, it sounds like eczema. That said, I wouldn't take some stranger's word for it-- go see the pediatrician. They may have a topical they can recommend and they'll rule out if it's anything to be more concerned about.( a reassurance you want! :)
I agree with the other moms - have your son checked out.
It could be as 2kidmama suggests - keratosis pilaris - I have this on my arms, and I have since I was a kid. It just looks like tiny little pimples/bumps almost. But they didn't just appear overnight. You can get it on your cheeks and legs too.
Eczema is typically red or sore looking and kids tend to scratch at it if it's bad.
I'm just wondering if it might be Scarlett Fever he's had. They get a rash with that, after the sore throat, fever and chills. It's typically a red rash though.
In any case, I would have him checked out - it could even be a reaction to something. One of my kids gets hives and sometimes it's more flesh colored than red. They can come on just like that and cover his whole chest.
Good luck :)
no way of knowing, really. yes, make a trip to the doctor's.
khairete
S.
Sounds like Keratin build up. Try washing his body with a good soap and then putting lots of lotion on him. See if it clears up or if it gets worse. I'd still want a docs opinion.
I'd go to the ped first, and if he or she doesn't know exactly what it is, I'd get a referral to a ped dermatologist. Don't wait. It can take months to get an appointment.
My husband and mother-in-law have something like this on their arms. It's called keratosis pilaris. If this is what your son has there isn't much you can do. The doctor did offer a special cream one time that might help, but my husband didn't care enough to try it. Anyway, I don't know if this is what you son has. Since it is on his face I am guessing it is something different. You should go see a dermatologist to get a professional opinion.
My first thought was KP as well. It can't hurt to be seen by a doctor, but I wouldn't freak out, either. If it's KP (I had it on my arms--triceps area--as a young adult), then there are topical things you can try. Mostly KP is clogged follicles. I never found exfoliating to be any help (I used a loofah regularly and it just made it red and irritated), but I read somewhere that a home remedy was to apply Selsun Blue to it. I did that, and it cleared it up in about a week or so, if I recall accurately. My son also got it on his arms (mostly his elbow area) when he was nearing puberty. I went to buy Selsun Blue and discovered that now there are several varieties of it and they don't all have the same active ingredient. You need the one that has selenium sulfide.
Everything you read about KP says that it comes back. But mine didn't. I'd had it for years, too, and hated wearing sleeveless tops b/c of it. Once I got rid of it, it's stayed gone.
My son's was a little tougher. His basically was bigger bumps (almost like they morphed together into bigger ones) and itched terribly and he would scratch them until they bled. It took a little longer, but it did clear up. But he was like 12, so I'm not sure if he used it every night when he showered, or just when I reminded him...
my kids pedi always says to out vaseline on a rash that does not have a known cause... but your pedi may be smarter. i would start there and then check into a dermatologist.
Just call the doctor or nurse line and ask, no need to make a trip (unless they want to see him.)
Normally, I would suggest a cream first but since you have a baby on the way and you mention he had a fever and sore throat for a few days, I would get it checked out. Good chance it is just a cream to clear it up. For my oldest, I was that a fever followed by a rash that lasts more than a day or 2 should be checked just to be sure something else is not going on.
Sounds like KP. There's not a lot you can do for it. Surface exfoliation doesn't help.
You could try Gold Bond Rough & Bumpy skin cream. It's specifically for KP.
Maybe molluscum? I'd have him seen by the pediatrician or dermatologist.
