bright pink spreading rash on my baby right now :(

[Snapdragon]

Today when bathing my baby I noticed a few pink spots on the back of his neck. by tonight he now has big pink patches of rash on his back of neck, underarms, belly. I did call the after hours doctor and spoke with a nurse- she was a little vague but generally said it wasn't anything to get too concerned with. I think I will bring him to the doctor tomorrow if it is still there. He also had a fever for a few days prior. ugh. poor little guy- we moved about 2 weeks ago- we were living prior to that in a nice clean house and he never had any rashes or viruses. then we thought we were moving to a nice other clean house but it ended up being really dirty and gross- and we all got sick. And the baby got a fever- poor guy:
( for a couple of days-

And we got out of that place after 2 days and are in an okay temp place and will be soon in a new clean nice place. But we have been through a lot in the last 2 wks- and ds (9and a 1/2 months) has been exposed to lots of germs and probably viruses and other yucky things.

So I tried on my own online to figure out what kind fo rash this is as the nurse said she couldn't tell w/out looking at it. And nothing exactly matched. I  am a first time mom so I am just freaked out! I hope it just goes away on its own- I am so bummed about it. I am not super scared since the nrse seemed to think it wasn't that dangerous- and that basically it would run its course. From the descriptions I read online none of it matched exactly- it osunded somewhat similar to roseola but the photos were different- roseola looks lighter than this rash is- this is a brighter pink. It spread so quickly:( Ds is sleeping now so that is good- so I won't check on it again till he wakes up- but he has been very uncomfortable for the last couple of days and the rash just came today.

What do I do?

[plantnerd]

Viral exanthem

Basically a lot of baby and kid viral diseases have a rash component.  I would get baby checked for strep (can also cause a rash aka scarlet fever) but otherwise give some motrin and ride it out.  It will happen a lot for the next few years.

[Snapdragon]

Originally Posted by plantnerd 

Viral exanthem

Basically a lot of baby and kid viral diseases have a rash component.  I would get baby checked for strep (can also cause a rash aka scarlet fever) but otherwise give some motrin and ride it out.  It will happen a lot for the next few years.

yes- I googled the term you suggested and this is exactly what it looks like.

what do you mean you would get the baby checked for strep? You mean I sohld go to the doctor because of it and get checked, or do you mean if it doesn't go away? and what is the deal w- scarlet fever?

So if it is viral exanthem- is that a specific rash or a general term to describe a rsh caused by a virus / cold /fever/

He is coughing a little, occasionally, and has been very irritable for a few days- clearly uncomfortable and unable to relax when awake- and that was before the rash. Tonight he was also very uncomfortable and unhappy- tho he did go back to sleep, thank goodness. so d oI just waiti it out? Am I allowed to ask about this here? I know mdc does not like to be in a position of others giving medical advice- so can I rephrase it to something like- what would you (anyone) do in this situation? thanks

I AM kind of worried.

ETA I guess the term is general and refers to a rash caused by a virus- which I think this is- as he had the fever and virus last week. And the photos vary- but his is pink and flat and widespread- it covers large areas unbroken. :(

[plantnerd]

Scarlet fever is a systemic strep infection (versus throat only).  I don't think it's very common, but possible.  I guess if this is the first time you've seen this, you may want to make a doc appointment.  To me it sounds like a virus, and they will probably lokk him over and say "eh, viral exanthem, give tylenol/motrin every x hours for fever and pain".

The 2x my boy has had a virus with rash the rash has been the last symptom to pop up.  After about 2 days it dissapeared and he was over the bug.

I didn't mean to scare you girl!  I guess what I'm trying to say is it's usually no big deal and quite common.  But it looks freaky to watch it spread from nothing to covered in a matter of hours.

Oh, and viral exanthem is a general term.  There are specific viral exanthems-  chicken pox and measles blisters, red cheek rash for fifth disease for example.  It is common to many many many general childhood illnesses.  Good news is he's got one knocked out, only 1million more to go LOL!

[Snapdragon]

update- next morning- rash is 95% gone! phew! and baby seems pretty cheerful. I am sure, after talking to the nirse, getting ideas on mdc, and internet research, that the rash was the last stage of the virus he had gotten. Seems to be okay now, I am very glad about that. Just a little patch on his leg but the other part is 95% faded. whew!