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What Causes Rapidly Increasing Itchy Rashes On Body?
Question: My almost-7-year-old daughter has a horrible itchy rash that just keeps getting worse. We took her to urgent care today and the dr. on call thought either chicken pox or an allergic reaction. She is up-to-date on her varicella vaccine and we don't know of anyone with chicken pox. I was thinking it was an allergic reaction to the ivy leaf extract ingredient in some Zarbees cough and mucus medication I gave her last night for her cough. However, after 3 rounds of Benadryl, it has only gotten worse. Other relevant info: she is on her last dose of Amoxicillin for her second round of strep in a month. Her little brother has RSV. Her little sister bit her on her arm yesterday, breaking the skin. Last night she had an allergic (asthmatic cough, runny nose, itchy eyes) reaction to a dog, and I gave her asthma meds. It looks similar to a scabies rash, but has rapidly increased and is worst on her face (cheeks only, not forehead), but it is all over her body. We live in SoCal and it is hot here right now. We were at a saltwater pool yesterday (in case that is relevant). Please help--we are all at our wit's end.
Brief Answer:
Looks like urticaria. Could also be a viral rash
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through the images. The rashes are not typical ofdo not look like chicken pox. To me it seems more like a viral exanthem. A number of viruses could cause it. It is hard to comment on the exact cause without examining the rashes. The other more probable and broad possibility is urticaria. The urticaria could have been triggered by the exposure to salt water that you mention of. Both urticaria and viral infections have an allergic component and need to be treated with antiallergics. Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics.
I would suggest you to give her Montek LC (contains Monteleukast + Levocetirizine). It should help in controlling the rashes. Applying Calamine lotion topically will have a soothing effect. I would recommend visiting a doctor and get the prescription medicines prescribed.
Hope that helps.
In case you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Looks like urticaria. Could also be a viral rash
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through the images. The rashes are not typical ofdo not look like chicken pox. To me it seems more like a viral exanthem. A number of viruses could cause it. It is hard to comment on the exact cause without examining the rashes. The other more probable and broad possibility is urticaria. The urticaria could have been triggered by the exposure to salt water that you mention of. Both urticaria and viral infections have an allergic component and need to be treated with antiallergics. Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics.
I would suggest you to give her Montek LC (contains Monteleukast + Levocetirizine). It should help in controlling the rashes. Applying Calamine lotion topically will have a soothing effect. I would recommend visiting a doctor and get the prescription medicines prescribed.
Hope that helps.
In case you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
We are thinking it is not urticara (hives, right?) b/c the rash has worsened instead of improved after taking several doses of antihistimines throughout the day.
Could it be one of the following from the saltwater pool (we were there 36 hours and 12 hours prior to the rash developing):
1. Hot tub rash (Pseudomonas Dermatitis / Folliculitis) she was in a small warm pool and a big pool. The big pool was closed the day prior due to the presence of fecal matter, but then cleaned an opened the next day, and she swam in it the next day.
2. Swimmer's itch, (cercarial dermatitis), but I know this usually occurs in lakes or other natural bodies of water vs. pools. However, this being a small, shallow saltwater pool, I think it's a possibility.
3. A fungal infection of some sort
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Could it be one of the following from the saltwater pool (we were there 36 hours and 12 hours prior to the rash developing):
1. Hot tub rash (Pseudomonas Dermatitis / Folliculitis) she was in a small warm pool and a big pool. The big pool was closed the day prior due to the presence of fecal matter, but then cleaned an opened the next day, and she swam in it the next day.
2. Swimmer's itch, (cercarial dermatitis), but I know this usually occurs in lakes or other natural bodies of water vs. pools. However, this being a small, shallow saltwater pool, I think it's a possibility.
3. A fungal infection of some sort
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Swimmer's itch is what I am talking about.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
It seems to be swimmer's itch which is basically an allergic reaction to certain things present in the water, and is same as an urticaria / hives / contact dermatitis. I do not think it to be due to Pseudomonas. Fungal infection is a possibility but quite unlikely.
You need not have given the medicine several times a day. Although it might have seemed to worsen on taking Benadryl, I would still insist you to give her the medicine that I mentioned. I think that it would respond well.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Swimmer's itch is what I am talking about.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
It seems to be swimmer's itch which is basically an allergic reaction to certain things present in the water, and is same as an urticaria / hives / contact dermatitis. I do not think it to be due to Pseudomonas. Fungal infection is a possibility but quite unlikely.
You need not have given the medicine several times a day. Although it might have seemed to worsen on taking Benadryl, I would still insist you to give her the medicine that I mentioned. I think that it would respond well.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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