If you are anything like me, your child coming up in a rash puts you into panic mode. When I was a teenager there was an outbreak of meningococcal. Kids were going from having 'a cold' to losing limbs or dying so when I see a rash on my child I'm like "ahhhhh! Emergency!! My child is gonna die!!!" but I know really it's probably NOT that dramatic so before I call an ambulance I take a photo and message my friends so they can calm me down.
"Have you done the glass test?"
"Yes, it disappeared."
"It's just a viral rash, calm down"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes!"
"Ok."
I'm not ok. But I trust them. My girls never got rashes. Then I was blessed with a redhead who's translucent skin gets a rash whenever he touches something. Then an allergy child with eczema and who gets a rash EVERY TIME he gets a virus.
So for all of our sanity, here's a list of what it probably is:
Calm down! It's heat rash.
Ringworm. Which is not a worm. It's a fungus. 🍄
Impetigo. Your kid's not gonna die die but you should take them to the doctor. And don't let them touch stuff. And dont touch them. 🙅♀️
Hand, Foot and Mouth. Doesn't have to be in all three and doesn't have to just be there. Likes butts too. My son had skin peeling off his feet for years after this. It's gross. Go to the doctor. As above, dont let them touch stuff and don't touch them. Icky. 🦶
Dermatitis. They touched something. Dont touch it again. 👐
Eczema. Congratulations. 🙄 #killmenow
Hives. Like dermatitis and eczema, it's an allergy, but potentially more severe. Look out for wheezing 🚑
If it's not on the list, congratulations, you've descended to the next level of hell with something rarer. Follow the links below. And of course, always use common sense. If your child has a rash with a fever, take them to the doctor. TODAY. Live long and prosper 🖖
WebMD
The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
NHS
Images courtesy of WebMD