Freaking out over hamster pet...

[Ratpack]

DS and DD both have recently bought pet hamsters. DD's hamster "Nibbles" has nipped them a couple of times, but not broken skin or anything.

2 weeks ago DS's finger began blistering and peeling like a banana. The doctors said that he had staph infection and treated it with cream and meds. This was on the finger that Nibbles nipped.

Now this week, DD's chest has developed a rash that is very odd. It is red splotches - not ringworm rings, but not blisters like DS's finger. It has spread into big areas now. The doctors are treating her for staph as well. However, it doesn't really act like/look like DS's. However, she has not been bitten anywhere in this area.

Has anyone had anything like this that has hamsters?? I am thinking that these critters need to go...I don't want my kids sick or facing any diseases from these things. However, we are not completely sure that these are the reasons for these rashes. Please advise....

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I think the hamsters have to go sadly, a staph infection can be very serious. There's no point in taking a chance if the infections seem to coincide with the kids getting the hamsters.

 

[HunnyPots]

Could your daughter's rash possibly look like this?http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pityriasis-rosea/DS00720

My daughter had this when she was 13 or 14. It started on her chest and spread outward. She hid it from me for at least a week and when I discovered it we saw the doctor. He basically told us it was called pityriasis and it would last several weeks and then go away completely on its own. It did. Just a thought...

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Something similar happened to a friend of mine. She was nipped by their hamster and ended up in the hospital for a few days from the infection. If it were me the hamsters would have to go.

 

[kellyg403]

I would rethink the hamsters as well.

As an FYI, when oldest ds was younger, he got a cut on his foot. A few days later he got a bad rash on his face and then had a fever. Turns out he had a staph infection. Staph can enter in one place and generalize in another. So possibly the issue with your dd. He had the peeling and we had the antibiotics and creams as well.

Kelly

 

[Tinijocaro]

My dd stepped on a Lego and got a staph infection from it-had to go to the emergency room for IV antibiotics. We got rid of the Legos.