Is this ringworm?

[RadioNate]

It looks more like hives to me. Allergies could also cause the lethargy. I would definitely get him looked at, though.

Thanks everyone who took a look and responded. After watching the rash last night, we are pretty sure they were hives. After I took that picture, more spots developed, and the old ones would disappear. It then spread down his legs and back. He had the same reaction to penicillin when he was one, although that time the hives were filled in, not empty circles. I'm pretty sure it was an allergic reaction of some kind, but I don't know to what. After his bath, his lethargy went away, and he was his normal self. And this morning the rash was gone! I am going to get him into the allergist to find out what's going on. He has seasonal allergies, and his ped. suggested zertec instead of clariton and prescribed flonase also. He started those new meds 2 - 3 weeks ago, so that may be a possible cause.

I too was going to suggested hives. When I get hives they look a lot like that. Zyrtec is the preferred treatment for hives so it shouldn't be causing them. It is an antihistamine so that could be why they look different.

 

[DebbieB]

I got ringworm at WDW about 5 years ago and it took over 3 months to get rid of it. At first I thought it was a bite until it started growing. The doctor gave me cream. It kept growing. It was summer and I was wearing short sleeves so it wasn't pretty. I went to a dermatologist and he gave me different creams. Still kept growing, probably 2 or 3 inches wide. The dermatologist ended up doing a biopsy on it (still have the scar) and it was fungus. I ended up having to take pills to get rid of it.

 

[marcyinPA]

I see you figured it out- just wanted to give my 2c on ringworm. When my DS had it, it was circular in shape like that, but also crusty. Your DS's spots didn't look crusty.

My DS has eczema too- he had a patch of eczema that looked JUST like ringworm, but it didn't respond to the anti-fungal creams. Treated it then for eczema and it took months to clear.

Skin stuff is the worst- we deal with it all with my DS13

 

[dicar123]

Hope you get an answer OP. A few years ago, my son had what looked like a nasty bug bite on the back of his neck. We took him to Urgent Care and they said it was ringworm. I was skeptical, but I'm not a Dr.

The next day it had spread and was AWFUL looking. Took him to the Pediatrician and it was impetigo!

The Pediatrician said that it can be really tough to figure out these various skin issues.

 

[Scornelius]

Don't freak. It's a fungus not a worm.

It looks like ringworm.

I don't think it looks like ringworm.

Been in child care for twenty years and that doesn't really look like ring worm to me.

It looks more like hives to me.

it looks like the start of eczema to me...

Wound nurse here.... yes it is ringworm.

Hey OP, has your head exploded yet?

Glad to hear your son is feeling better, and I hope you get a real answer soon!

 

[indimom]

Hope you get an answer OP. A few years ago, my son had what looked like a nasty bug bite on the back of his neck. We took him to Urgent Care and they said it was ringworm. I was skeptical, but I'm not a Dr.

The next day it had spread and was AWFUL looking. Took him to the Pediatrician and it was impetigo!

The Pediatrician said that it can be really tough to figure out these various skin issues.

Hey OP, has your head exploded yet?

Glad to hear your son is feeling better, and I hope you get a real answer soon!

Skin issues are very tricky.

I was a day care provider for 16 years and saw my share of rashes, infections, allergies, etc. My son is also prone to skin issues: eczema, hives, moluscum on several occasions headache: hate that one), and has had impetigo(?) That was scary-it spread overnight from one sore looking pimple to multiple spots and getting larger.

My best tips: Take your photos to the doctor so they can see it even if the skin has cleared by the time of the appointment. I've done this for mystery rashes and the doctor found it helpful.

If it recurs or spreads, and the ped. isn't getting anywhere, try a dermatologist or an allergist. We've had good luck with both. I hope you have no more issues.

 

[Disneyplanners]

Hey OP, has your head exploded yet?

Glad to hear your son is feeling better, and I hope you get a real answer soon!

Skin issues are very tricky.

I was a day care provider for 16 years and saw my share of rashes, infections, allergies, etc. My son is also prone to skin issues: eczema, hives, moluscum on several occasions headache: hate that one), and has had impetigo(?) That was scary-it spread overnight from one sore looking pimple to multiple spots and getting larger.



My best tips: Take your photos to the doctor so they can see it even if the skin has cleared by the time of the appointment. I've done this for mystery rashes and the doctor found it helpful.

If it recurs or spreads, and the ped. isn't getting anywhere, try a dermatologist or an allergist. We've had good luck with both. I hope you have no more issues.

Yes, I've found out rashes are tough to figure out! The rash was back again last night, and was gone again this morning. Last night it was a combination of hives and patches of smaller red bumps. And more spread out this time - upper arms, thighs, stomach, back and groin. All were smooth, not crusty, but itchy. I wish I would have taken a picture, which I will do if they are back tonight. DS has several allergy issues, so I made an appt with the allergist, but couldn't get him in until next week. DH thinks he is getting heat rash

 

[ms1031]

My oldest daughter would get rashes like that from the metal snaps on her baby clothes.

 

[Green Tea]

Looks like hives to me.

 

[ccgirl]

Yes, I've found out rashes are tough to figure out! The rash was back again last night, and was gone again this morning. Last night it was a combination of hives and patches of smaller red bumps. And more spread out this time - upper arms, thighs, stomach, back and groin. All were smooth, not crusty, but itchy. I wish I would have taken a picture, which I will do if they are back tonight. DS has several allergy issues, so I made an appt with the allergist, but couldn't get him in until next week. DH thinks he is getting heat rash

My DS4 gets something like this and my DD9 has in the past as well. With them it is a virus their body is trying to fight. The excess histamine produces hives. The pediatrician suggested Benadryl and that always worked. It was itchy and would come and go as you described.

Good luck.