*UPDATED original post*Can you get strep throat from stamps?

[Minnie824]

Ok, so this past summer, DD4 started getting strep throat. Its odd though, she never complains of a sore throat, she never has a fever, she just breaks out in this hives type rash all over her body. No one (even her 1.5yo sister) ever catches it from her. We were all tested as carriers, all negative. So today, she breaks out in the rash again. This is now the 6th time since summer. I know what it is now, just need to call Dr. when they open, go in and get prescription. Anyway, we've been trying to figure out what causes it. When it started in summer the ONLY place she was going alot was gymnastics...which had no air conditioning and was a perfect breeding ground for germs. So we figure maybe from there? In nov, prior to our vacation, I didn't let her go, just in case. (beg of Nov was last time she had it). They also put stamps on their hands and feet. Her last incident her hands were really really bad with the rash, which is what made me think maybe the stamps are causing it? I mean, they go on everyones sweaty hands and feet and I'm sure are never cleaned. Anyway, she went twice in Dec, but I said NO stamps...just to see. She went last week thurs, and she told the teacher no stamps, but she put a little one on her foot. Then went last night and no stamps. She's been 'itchy' all week, and today, the rash is here again. Is it just a coincidence, or could the rash/strep actually be caused by the stamps?


***UPDATE*** Took DD to the dr. Her instant strep culture was negative but waiting for the lab results. Dr. said her throat did look red though and gave her the normal meds. She also said to contact ENT, but before doing surgery maybe get her tested for some allergies first, just in case it is something like that. Now we have to wait for lab results.

Question...did anyone (or your children) have their tonsils out? If so, what age were you/they? 4 seems so young to have surgery, my poor DD! But if thats what we find out needs to be done, we'll have to. Are there any complications with it? Thanks for any info.

 

[mickeyboat]

Do you think she might be allergic to the ink? I am not sure how it relates to the strep, but it might be a good idea to have her skip the stamps next time.

Denae

 

[MsLeFever]

Stamps - like stickers or just ink?

I wonder if an allergy to the ink could cause this type of reaction?

 

[poohandwendy]

She may just be a chronic sufferer and possibly need her tonsils/adenoids removed. Some people just do not totally get rid of the infection and it keeps coming back. At this point, I would get her to an ear/nose/throat specialist.

 

[Minnie824]

Stamps - like stickers or just ink?

I wonder if an allergy to the ink could cause this type of reaction?

Its the ink. And because the rash is more hive-like, thats what I'm wondering? Just odd how her strep test is positive each time, with no other symptoms. I'm going to keep skipping the stamps, I think I need to talk to her gymnastic teacher myself though again.

 

[poohandwendy]

Actually, I think you are dealing with 2 seperate issues here. One being an allergy/sensitivity to the stamp ink and one being chronic strep infections. I would guess that she will still test strep positive even if you never let her touch another stamp. I still think you should take her to an ENT specialist, they will have no trouble addressing your concerns and getting to the bottom of it.

 

[poohandwendy]

Just a FYI, it really is very common for people with chronic infections to not be symptomatic. It really doesn't have anything to do with how they get infected, just their response to the infection.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I am thinking she is allergic to the stamp. When I saw the title I was thinking postage stamps.

 

[Minnie824]

Actually, I think you are dealing with 2 seperate issues here. One being an allergy/sensitivity to the stamp ink and one being chronic strep infections. I would guess that she will still test strep positive even if you never let her touch another stamp. I still think you should take her to an ENT specialist, they will have no trouble addressing your concerns and getting to the bottom of it.

After she was positive for strep a few times last year, we had her tested after her meds....2 weeks later, and the test was negative. This was done twice, which was when the rest of the family was tested as carriers too. If it is a chronic condition, would it always be positive, or would it be 'cleared up' after her meds?

 

[golfgal]

Do you have a dog? Dogs can be carriers of strep. My DD had strep 10 time in 9 months. We had her tonsils and adenoids taken out and she hasn't had strep since (almost 6 year later).

 

[poohandwendy]

If it is a chronic condition, would it always be positive, or would it be 'cleared up' after her meds?

It is my understanding that it can test negative and still be a chronic situation, it can either not go away at all with antibiotics or it can keep reoccurring. It sounds like that is what is happening with your DD.

The reason I suggest having an ENT check her is because chronic strep infections have the potential to cause heart and/or kidney problems. I think her history suggests she should be checked by a specialist. Like golfgal's DD, she may need her tonsils/adenoids removed. JMO.

 

[justhat]

Last May I had strep throat (don't ask me how cause I was 24, stay at home with my daughter who was then 15 months, and wasn't around anyone sick). The dr I went to told me that if I had taken even 1 dose of antibiotics then my strep test would have been negative. The reason she said that is that my husband is a medical student and kept telling me to take antibiotics since we guessed it was strep, but I didn't want to take anything without asking the dr first since I was still nursing. But anyway, my point is that she said that even 1 dose of medicine will be enough to cause a strep test to be negative even though you still have the illness and would be just as sick if you stopped after the 1 pill. So it's possible that after your daughter finished her medicine, there was still enough going around in her system to cause the tests to be negative but she was still carrying the illness.

 

[Minnie824]

updated in original post.

 

[krcit]

Both of my dds had their tonsils out when they were in 1st grade(3 years apart) My oldest dd had strep 14(!!!!!) times in one year-that's when I took her to an ENT, who looked at her record, looked at her throat and said"her tonsils HAVE to come out-asap" Had it done, she recovered quickly and has had strep once in 4 years. My younger dd had strep 6 times in one year and I brought her to same Dr-same story. It is not good fot them to be on antibiotics so much, the medications can do organ damage as well as the strep. If the Dr recommends surgery, try to stay calm, maybe get a second opinion but it is a common surgery. I know it is still very scary to have your baby put under and operated on(((hugs)))). If she does need surgery, feel free to pm me and I can tell you what to expect. Good luck.

 

[golfgal]

My DD had just turned 5 when she had her tonsils out. She was fine, came out of it like a little trooper. The dr we used keeps kids overnight, which I liked. A friend's DD had her tonsils out shortly before DD and had to go back in about 2 hours after she went home for bleeding and was back to the dr about 3 times after that for bleeding.

I got my tonsils out when I was 4. I still remember walking to the hospital (a block away), getting a tour of the OR, my room, etc. I remember them putting the mask over my face before the surgery (everything is different now) and I remember being really bored in the hospital afterward. I was in the hospital for 4 days, I think. I remember that my throat hurt but heck, they brought you all the ice cream and popsicles you could eat!

 

[poohandwendy]

updated in original post.

It sounds like you are on the right track. I know it is scary to think of our little ones needing surgery, but like others have said it is a very common procedure and she will be so much better off afterwards. {{{HUGS}}} I hope you get to the bottom of it soon!

 

[SC Minnie]

DD had tonsils and adnoids out at just over a year old. Hers was done as an out patient.

 

[tkd lisa]

Both my kids had their tonsils/adenoids out. DD was 4, and hers was specifically because of many recurrences of strep. In her case, it went to scarlet fever right away. She had already had surgery at two to release a trigger finger (i.e. her pointer finger couldn't be straightened out), so we had some experience.

DD reacts very strangely to anesthesia. She came out of surgery INSISTING that they hadn't done the surgery. She kept screaming to see the doctor because she wouldn't believe us. The doctor came in and talked to her, and she finally settled down. But they said she'll probably be a crying drunk (cause she was crying, not just mad), because usually how you react to anesthesia is the way you act when you are drunk.

The surgery isn't just a minor little thing. They're pretty much down for a week. For DD, I stayed home the first day, then she was able to go to Grandmas. For DS, we had moved away, so I had to take the whole week off. He was actually pretty perky the day after the surgery, but went down hard the next day, and was weak for at least 2 more days. They both ate lots of slushies!

 

[Feralpeg]

I couldn't begin to tell you how many times my DD had strep prior to age 5. She would no sooner stop an antibiotic and it would be back. Finally, her doctor told me that she needed to have her tonsils out. He said they were so infected with strep that they could only beat it back with the antibiotic. It would just continue to come back and she would eventually become immune to the antibiotics. She had her tonsils out at age 5. She's only had strep once since.

 

[mrsmom]

My youngest was 21 months old (now 8)when he had his tonsils and adnoids out, he was in the hospital and even came home 5 days later with his iv in his arm( for 2 days) so i could go back and get fluids for him he refused to drink anything. but did so a couple days later with iv's out. But the downside is he has had strep throat at least 2-3 times a yr since so they don't know why he gets it like that.but my other ds had his out at 4 yrs old and has never had a problem with strep throat he is 13 now,.he ate a 5 hour after surgery at the hospital, was in overnight because he has asthma.
Kim