Hello everyone, My son has had a rash for 3 days now, it is getting redder and spreading each day, but my peditrician does not think it is important enough for him to be seen because he does not have a fever or any other symptoms. My son turned 2 in october. He is not a good eater so when the nurse asked if he was eating normally, it is hard to tell because he is not a good/consistent eater to start with. He has not had a fever and he is otherwise himself. He has grabbed his right ear a few times and poked at his neck ( i think he was trying to scratch it) but that was only a few times over the 3 days total. I know there can be a million things that could cause a rash (clothes, food, etc...) but i did not change cleaners, detergent, all clothes are cleaned before being put on him) The only thing I could think that was different in my house was the x-mas tree, and pine cones. The nurse said that it sounds like he probably has a virus and the rash is its way of coming out. My question is...How long do you wait before insisting that he be seen by the dr.? thank you.
Thank You everyone for your thoughtfull and very helpfull advice! I called the doctor and insisted that he be seen the following day if the rash did not make any changes. Well, the rash got worse so I went in to the open hours at 7:30 am and he was tested for strept. It turned out not to be strept but a viral infection. He did not have any other symptoms! No fever, no ear infections, no cough, etc... Because it is a viral infection they could not give any medication, however, I gave him benedryl and tried the "tea bath" that was suggested. The rash actually lighted significantly by the end of that night and it was gone the next. He is back to his crazy little self and no more rash. Thank you again and I wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday!
L. Hi, My son has had rashes before and I used the normal but when it got to 3 days I so brought him to the doctor and he gave me special cream to use and it went away. I would either demand to see the doctor or go somewhere else. You could also help him by letting him soak in a tub with baking soda. Good luck and have a great holiday.
Can't hurt to have it checked...my daughter had a rash on her arms and upper torso which was just little tiny red bumps and was kind of itchy...turned out she had strep. I had no idea, just thought it was something else and the DR tested her after he looked at it. They called me because I forgot about checking in (I know I can't believe it) but she had no symptoms other then the rash. Boy was I shocked!
Just tell you Dr that you want him seen if the rash is bothering him. As parents we know what is normal/not normal and have to sometimes push, may turn out to be nothing but never hurts to have them checked if you can.
Good luck!
I say just call and say I want someone to see my son. You don't have to request a visit, its your child and you know him best. I think its funny how we can be so intimidated by doctors, I am the same way sometimes, but you are paying for the visit regardless. Just tell them you want to bring him in and have someone take a look, thats he's uncomfortable and he's not himself.
Hi L.,
If I were you I would call his doctor and demand to have him seen tomorrow no matter what they say. My son has had ear infections with out a fever and side nothing hurt. If I didn't make his dotor see my son, he would have suffered since he doesn't all ways tell us if something hurts until it's at the worst it can get.
Good Luck and I hope for your little it's nothing
Give this old fashioned remedy a try and if it doesn't work or gets worse insist that the doctor see him. My 10 yr old used to get weird rashes all the time...and this has always worked on her:
Purchase the large "Iced tea" size lipton tea bags. Put two in the bath tub and run warm to luke warm water in the tub to normal "bath time depth" and plunk your son in. Let him play and soak in the tea. Don't worry it won't stain his skin...but don't use your good white towels to pat him dry with. Don't use any soap and don't rub dry! Do this a couple of times a day for a couple of days. If you don't see any improvement or it gets worse...take him in to the Doctor!! Good luck & happy Christmas
L.,
Make an appt with the doctor and insist that he be seen. My son had a 'rash' when he was younger, and I took him to the dr. only to find out that he had STREP. The strep virus can manifest in various ways (which I didn't know at the time)...he had never complained of any other symptoms and never had a fever. Antibiotics cleared it right up. The fact that he has pointed at his neck made me think that maybe he does have somewhat of a sore throat to go with it. Is the rash on his belly? That's where my son's rash was....To me, it's always better safe than sorry. I'd rather pay a copay at the Dr. to find out what it is, even if it's a virus, and make myself feel better!
Hi L.,
If I were you I would insist on being seen. Even if the Dr thinks it is nothing - he should still see your son to be sure - especially because it is spreading and not getting better. If they refuse, then I would either go to the ER or get a new pediatrician.
Good luck!
J.
A Mother's Boutique
Breastfeeding clothing, nursing bras, breastpumps, slings and accessories
MamaSource Members will receive 10% off of their first order - just mention promo code "MamaSource"
http://www.mothersboutique.com
I would request a visit now. If the rash is spreading it should definately be checked out. My son had rashes and some times they were from virus' but eventually we found out he had Psoriasis and once we found out what the cause was we were able to keep it under control. Could be simple, but can't hurt to know for sure.
L.,
I would call the doctor and tell them you want your son to be seen TODAY. If they refuse, do two things:
1. Find a new ped. and get your son to him/her.
2. Call your insurance company. Most ins. plans require participating docs to adhere to response times - i.e. they must see the patient for sick visits within 24 hours, they must be able to provide a non-emergency appt. within a two weeks, etc. If you doctor refuses to see your son again, let him know that you will be complaining to your insurance company.
A rash that is speading is something your doctor should address.
Good luck!
Kali
If you think something is wrong, then you have the right to insist on seeing the doctor. You're paying. You don't have tell them everything when setting up the appointment, or you can tell them whatever you need to, to get in there. If the rash is not improving, and even if it does not seem to be bothering him, if it concerns you, then you have every right to get it checked out.
Heaven forbid DYFYS get wind that your child had a rash for 3 days and you didn't get it checked out, for whatever reason. Not that that should be a driving force behind parenting decisions, it just goes to show how backwards the systems are.
Ultimately, you are the parent and you are the client, so if one doctor won't see your child, then you can take him to someone who will and let the doctors office know that. It may be nothing at all, but you have the right to have your son looked at.
I'd say get him in....it could be an ear inection(you did say he was grabbing at his ear)or it could be nothing but with Christmas right around the corner i say get it checked out and now so it doesn't get too bad...
Good luck and let us know
J.
Hi L.,
I would first try to remember if he ever had a fever. I know sometimes kids develop a rash after a fever.. sometimes it can be a while. Then secondly I had a conversation with my friends just the other day and they said their sons get a terrible rash too. And it is a fungus. Not a bad thing though, no need to worry. One uses the aveeno diaper rash cream and said if it doesnt stop it she then get an antibiotic ointment from the doctor, but really no big deal! It kills me when the nurse say not to bring your baby in... If it will make you feel better you should, having a two year old is stressful enough... Best of luck and have a wonderful christmas
Love and Peace
R.
If your gut tells you to take him in to be seen by the doctor, then insist the doctor sees him. If the doctor gets mad, too bad. Even if you are wrong, at least you will know what the rash is, how to make it better and your son will get the relief he needs and you will too. As with anything, if it's getting worse and not better, get him seen. I have two teenage girls and an 8 yr old son and if my gut told me have the kids seen, that's what I did.
R.
I would push to get an appointment. The rash is obviously not getting better and could indicate a condition that needs treated. The fact that your son doesn't have a fever doesn't mean that he shouldn't been seen. Some kids don't get fevers for illnesses that you would expect them to (my brother never presented a fever when he had strep). If your doctor still refuses to see you I would find another asap.
My son gets weird rashes that are not "anything serious" too. Usually it is a slight allergic reaction to something, even if you haven't changed anything, the body is always adjusting and readjusting. The deteregent you've always used can suddenly create contact dermatitis, especially because there has been a change...the Christmas tree. My allergiest says that Christmas tress are big problems for allergy sufferers, particularly mold sensitivites -the spores live on the trunk and when you bring it in to your warm house they flourish. Maybe that is not directly causing the rash...but if his body is sensitive to that, maybe he can't handle the fragrance in detergent right now, too.
Yes, I would insist on him being seen, regardless. Most definately because it is getting worse!! And personally I would be livid that the doctor is telling YOU whether or not it is 'worth' being seen! I just had my son in for a weird rash on his right arm and right trunk. They said it wasn't contagious nor a problem. I switched to organic, paraben free, body/hair wash for him with no artificial fragrance and put a homeopathic cream with calendula on it and it cleared right up.
Best wishes. L.
Call the pediatrician and tell him it is getting worse. Tell him that it is itchy and you are unsure if he has had a fever with it. Tell him you want to get him checked today (or tomorrow) before the Christmas holiday so that you are sure you are not going to have to visit the emergency room on Christmas.
Your doctor gets paid by your insurance if you come in. The only person you are truly inconveniencing by asking for an appointment is you. Everyone else who feels inconvenienced (the doctor or his staff for instance) should remember that they are being paid to be inconvenienced as part of their job.
Be nice and pleasant when you speak with them but firmly insist on coming in to see the doctor if the rash is getting worse not better.
