Long lasting viral rashes/hives (3/10 update)

[k3am]

DS was sick with a gnarly cough for about 3 months. Literally the day he started to sound better, he broke out in a rash. It’s now 6 weeks later. He saw a doctor after two weeks (mainly to get a note for school) who said if it wasn’t gone to follow up in two weeks, which we did. They sent us to dermatology, which took two weeks to get an appointment. The doctor just said.. looks like hives, no way to identify what caused it, not sure of what treatment is available since she’s not a pediatric dermatologist, but it should probably clear up on its own in 1-2 months. (Side note, based on the “when do you go to the doctor?” Thread - this is why we avoid it)

Anyone have any recommendations? It thankfully doesn’t itch or cause any pain, but it’s visible on his arms, neck, and face (comes and goes here) and makes him feel weird.

[mofongo]

Did they rule scarlet fever?

[k3am]

Dec 14, 2022 21:38:43 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Did they rule scarlet fever?

They didn’t mention it at all. I googled and he hasn’t had a fever or headache and the rash looks different, so my guess is they may have but not mentioned it specifically. The rash looked somewhat similar in the early days, but not at all over the last few weeks. This kid can’t catch a break.

[k3am]

If it’s helpful..

ibb.co/b3mJffK
ibb.co/nPk77m5


Pics from today.

[fortnightlily]

A three-month cough and then a long lasting rash would both make me think he's having an allergic reaction to something in your environment. New animals, plants (I knew someone whose kid was allergic to their Christmas tree, and it took them a while to figure that out), detergents, mold, etc...?

My DH and I started having random breakouts of hives out of nowhere in our apartment many years ago. We bought one of those at-home mold kits, which did grow a little something. We opened up all the vents and vacuumed them out and didn't have any problems after that.

[alicethellama]

It looks and sounds like chronic hives. I’ve had them twice in my life, this last time lasting 13 months and counting. My first round I did a consult with an allergist and did allergy testing which didn’t show any root cause. I did a course of steroids to get them under control, and take a regimen of daily antihistamines to keep them at bay.

[sparty04]

I don't even know if this is possible, it probably isn't, but I had a few patches like that and it was ringworm.

[rocklake]

My child has chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives) since she had covid a year ago. The allergist said it is definitely not an allergic reaction as it pops up at random times and isn't tied to any food (he gave other explanations about why he was sure it wasn't an allergy). He suggested daily Zyrtec and trialing every few weeks or months to see if it has resolved. He said some people have this for months, others for years. Hers is pretty bad still when she forgets to take a Zyrtec.

[luckystar2]

Some of the spots look like pityriasis rosea. I had it randomly appear a couple years ago. It was all over my torso, back and a little bit on arms. It can happen supposedly after a virus although I wasn’t sick when mine happened. Mine wasn’t itchy perse but some spots would get irritated because of their location. I went to my pcp and they really had no clue - I’m the one who suggested it or ringworm based on my googling. They definitely didn’t think ringworm and literally were looking up pics online and decided it was pityriasis. They prescribed a steroid cream to help with irritation and told me it could take 6-8 weeks to go away. It did take right about that amount of time.

[luckystar2]

Dec 14, 2022 22:19:18 GMT -5 sparty04 said:

I don't even know if this is possible, it probably isn't, but I had a few patches like that and it was ringworm.

When I had pityriasis rosea I really thought it might have been ringworm. Some spots looked very similar when I was googling.

[CurlyQ284]

I've never heard of that but DS has allergies and lots of skin issues that pop up so I have a bunch of creams and meds for all sorts of things. If it were me I would probably give him his Zyrtec (over the counter) for a week and see if it helps since the doctors haven't been able to clear it up so far.

[gummybear]

I had hives for about 8 weeks about 10 years ago. It was awful. I had every test under the sun and no one could figure out why. The most effective antihistamine was Atarax, though nothing really helped that much. Then one day they were gone and have never returned. Pretty much every Dr told me it would be like that.

FWIW I did a lot of my own research and I think it was triggered by hormones bc I had just weaned DD2. But I could be wrong.

[k3am]

Dec 14, 2022 22:58:52 GMT -5 CurlyQ284 said:

I've never heard of that but DS has allergies and lots of skin issues that pop up so I have a bunch of creams and meds for all sorts of things. If it were me I would probably give him his Zyrtec (over the counter) for a week and see if it helps since the doctors haven't been able to clear it up so far.

We’ve been giving him 10ml of Zyrtec daily for the cold/allergies. It’s more than the recommended dose on the box, but what the doctor said to give. The dermatologist said for adults, they would have them do 4x the recommended dosage, but she wasn’t comfortable making that recommendation since she doesn’t usually deal with pediatric cases. Also annoying, since she’s the dermatologist that our provider/insurer recommended.

[mysteriouswife]

DD had it after an allergic reaction to vaccines. Anytime she got hit it would pop out. It lasted nearly 3 months. Thankfully, Benadryl and oatmeal baths helped.

[sassystace]

I've taken Zyrtec 2x a day for chronic hives and it has worked well. Can you try that for a few weeks and see if it clears up? I can't believe they didn't offer any remedy.

[k3am]

Just got a call back from the dermatologist.. she followed with a pediatric dermatologist and says to have him do 4x the recommended daily dose of Zyrtec (20mL) and if that doesn't help, they'll assume it's an allergy vs. viral and they'll refer him for allergy testing. This is a much better plan than just waiting and hoping it goes away on it's own in 1-2 months.

[waverly]

k3am , It looks viral to me, and if that is the case then steroids wouldn't help, but I would send a message to the doctor to ask if she suggests a course of steroids because if it is allergy related, they could help.

How long do they want to wait before the referral? I don't see why they wouldn't refer now to cover their bases, and then you can make the appointment and cancel if all is well.

Also, why if the allergy medicine doesn't help, they assume it's allergies?

Benedryl is helpful for hives situation, would they recommend him taking it at night?

I have no patience. The kids tell me to chill and I tell them I have no chill setting. So, I would be on the doctors about this because this all has been going on for so long, and they do seem eh kind of unhelpful.

[k3am]

Dec 14, 2022 22:13:44 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

A three-month cough and then a long lasting rash would both make me think he's having an allergic reaction to something in your environment. New animals, plants (I knew someone whose kid was allergic to their Christmas tree, and it took them a while to figure that out), detergents, mold, etc...?

My DH and I started having random breakouts of hives out of nowhere in our apartment many years ago. We bought one of those at-home mold kits, which did grow a little something. We opened up all the vents and vacuumed them out and didn't have any problems after that.

This is something to consider. I don't think we've had anything major change, but he does have seasonal allergies, and we did change seasons. We've switched him back to kid's soap (he was enjoying Irish Spring and "smelling like a man"), we use a free and clear detergent, our Christmas tree is fake, and our dog is a lower allergy dog (a damned doodle) whos' been around for a couple years and not caused any issues. I'll have to keep a look around the house and see if there's anything else that's "new" that could be bugging him. 

Which is also frustrating, because I know "new" can also be slightly different variation of old/familiar stuff based on allergy issues I was having a few years ago, so I'll have to remember new packages of our normal household stuff..

[k3am]

waverly, she left a voicemail, but didn't specify a certain period of time to try to see if the Zyrtec works or not. I figure we'll give it through the Sunday and then request the allergy referral.

If the rash were bothering him more (other than him not liking me checking it or people pointing it out to him/asking him what's wrong), I think I'd be pressing harder, but he doesn't really seem phased by it. I think that based on our shitty medical history with the kids, that part of me just really doesn't want to spend any more time at the doctor/hospital than I absolutely need to, and this more of an annoyance than something that really concerns me, if that makes sense? I had zero qualms pushing when DD's brain was on the line, and when DS's brain was determined to also be wonky, I was on the phone telling them that I didn't care what they had to do, we *would* be having an office appointment with the neurosurgeon the next day and that I wouldn't wait days or weeks to be seen (and they made it happen).

[momin2013]

Poor guy! Aside from anything environmental, is there anything in his diet that’s changed? Even a new brand of something?

I’m sorry he’s been dealing with this for so long - I would have no chill either, that has to be so frustrating for both him and you. I unfortunately don’t have any better advice than PPs have suggested.

[waverly]

k3am, since you already saw them in person, I think she could spend some time and answer additional questions through the portal or by phone rather than going back in for an appointment. I asked my nurse friend, and she said after 6 weeks they should suggest a steroid. She is also asking if he was recently vaccinated. Since I mentioned the cough, she also mentioned possible Covid rash.

[devonpow]

DS1 had a long lasting rash that stumped our pedi who sent us to a dermatologist - but the dermatologist did a small biopsy to figure it out since she also didn’t know (turned out to be follicular eczema - we never figured out what caused it but it took a few weeks of prescription creams to clear up once it was diagnosed). So..can they do a biopsy?

[k3am]

waverly, no recent vaccinations. If he's had covid, we never knew about it. While he was sick, we were testing him weekly for school, and DD was down with a bug last week, so she was covid tested and he took one in solidarity.

devonpow, I'm sure they could do a biopsy.. if the increased Zyrtec doesn't work, I'll ask if that's something they want/need to do.

momin2013, my kids aren't very adventurous (at all) eaters. Diet has mostly remained pretty steady and very limited. He did discover a love of sour warheads at Halloween time (right before the rash started), but they only get candy on Fridays. And English muffin's have been a new addition, now that I think of it?

[cjcouple]

Was he tested for Lyme disease?

I only mention because when my son was 5 he had those oval shaped patches I see on his back (second picture). My ped center had to pull pull out a book before relaozing it can present with patches like that.

I am probably wrong but IMO its worth ruling out since you've checked other things already.

[sparkythelawyer]

My kiddo had this as a toddler, and it took FOR-DAMNED-EVER to resolve.  The doc referred to it as "the virus' last stand".  It can linger a few months. 

[k3am]

cjcouple, definitely not tested for anything yet. He's had an office appointment with the pediatrician that was basically dismissed (what I expected.. I get that rashes can be hard to diagnose and usually go away pretty quickly on their own), email exchanges, and then yesterday's quick dermatology appointment. I'll keep this one in mind too if it doesn't go away.

[turboteal]

When I had hives that wouldn't go away for weeks they finally responded to a combo of claritin and tagamet (used for heartburn but it's also a histamine blocker I think) that an allergy doc recommended. Benadryl, zyrtec, steroids, and several topical meds from derm didn't help. Mine were awful and itchy though so I was seeing everyone and trying every med.

[k3am]

The larger dose of Zyrtec didn't make a difference.. we got referred to allergy, and that was actually quick, he did the appointment today.. We're now waiting on bloodwork results for kidney, liver, and thyroid function (described as an abundance of caution) and will be adding in Pepcid, which sounds like similar to what turboteal had. Fingers crossed that something helps the poor guy.

DH and I have also been talking about it, and while DS swears that the rash doesn't bother him, he has been the moodiest we've ever seen him - he's usually super mellow and go with the flow, and we've spent the last few weeks with him crying over the most random stuff.. I'm starting to speculate that it really is bugging him, but he doesn't really know the words to put around it.

[savan]

I’m sorry k3am, I went through similar rash hell when my DS was 7. We saw the pediatrician multiple times, a regular dermatologist, an allergist, and finally a pediatric dermatologist. We tried allergy meds, steroid creams, a strep test, and even treated him for scabies.

Finally, the pediatric dermatologist diagnosed the problem and solved it. Mixed in with the rash were a few spots of molluscum. Both the pediatrician and regular dermatologist made note of them but said they would resolve on their own. The pediatric dermatologist said the molluscum was causing an extreme immune system reaction which created the full body rash. We treated the molluscum and the rash went away.

I hope your DS gets some relief soon.

[k3am]

It’s only been a couple of hours since we gave him the first Pepcid dose and he’s already looking significantly better!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻