So, while I wait for the Ped to call...

[zakatak]

Anyone know the difference between early Chicken Pox and Hives? DS (8) woke up today with what I thought were some bug bites on his arms. Until I looked around and saw them all over his neck, stomach, sides, upper legs, arms and a couple on his face.

They are itchy and red. The only reason I am worried about chicken pox is that he has had a fever for the past few days (about 100+) with no other symptoms. He did have the vaccine 5 years ago, though.

Any thoughts while I wait for the Ped to call back?

Karen & Zak

 

[poohandwendy]

In my experience, chicken pox usually start as one raised bump with redness around it and a pus filled head that will break and scab (sorry for the gross factor). Hives are raised bumps that do not have a head (more splotchy) and the raised area is more irregular.

Chicken pox generally start on the trunk and then move out to the extremities...

Poor guy, I hope he is feeling better soon!

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
Chicken pox generally start on the trunk and then move out to the extremities...

Poor guy, I hope he is feeling better soon!

Also, other than the 'herald' (the first lesion) they look like perfectly circular blisters. And I think with chicken pox the pox pop up first and then the fever starts- at least that is what I remember from when I was 13. I had pox that started on my stomach but I felt ok, by the next morning I couldn't get out of bed.

 

[mousefan]

here's a link with some good photos

http://www.well-net.com/childrenshealth/chickenpoxinfo-1.html

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not sure, Karen, just wishing him well, hope he feels better soon.

 

[zakatak]

The peds are curious. They want to see him at 8:45am. The good news is the they said that Chicken Pox usually come out slow and gradual, not 50 at a time! So, I can deal with Hives, I think... less contagious!

I hope it is hives.

 

[Tinks]

Just a warning...hives stink! ( not literally!) My DS began to get hives at age 9 months. We had to go through allergy testing, which was not fun for a little guy. They never found what may have been causing the hives. He continued with hives until age 2 and was on daily Zyrtec. Poor guy! He is now Zyrtec free and we rearely see any hives.

So I guess I hope that if it is hives, it is short-lived. Hang in there!