My son has a rash on his hands feet thighs legs and butt. None on his torso. They are red bumps a few have scabed. He also has red dots on roof of his mouth. Monday he had fever and threw up and tues had a fever. Tues I noticed the bumps on legs that had scabs and a few more bumps have developed but none on torso. What is this?

I don't know why you haven't had him to the doctor, no diagnosis can be given on the internet, you should realize that we cannot see the affliction personally like the doctor can.

I did take him to the doctor yesterday and they were unsure what it was, said maybe hand foot and mouth but there are no sores in mouth just the red pinlike spots and rash is not blistered. also said maybe chicken pox but they usually start on torso and he has none on torso and none are blistered. Also said maybe viral infection. But they are not sure. They told me to give him benadryl and bring back if it got worse. Just trying to find out some thoughts on which one it could be

No way of telling from here. Please follow benadryl instructions as they said. I know you are worried but there is no way we can diagnose not seeing the problem, surely you can understand that.

Yes I can understand but trying to see if someone has encountered same symptoms and can maybe give some insight to what it is other than take benadryl and wait. Just concerned for my son and want to clear this up so he will be better. Obviously waiting and not knowing is my concern. If anyone has encountered this please give me some suggestions other than wait and see and go to doctors. Thanks

Since the rash is mostly on his lower half, was he wearing a fabric that might have disagreed with his skin and caused an allergic reaction?

He has not had any new clothes on and I have not changed any of our products at home. We went to zoo Monday and he was wearing shorts. Thought maybe bug bite? Chiggers? Doc did not think so but also did not know what it was for sure.. Thank you

The very fact that the rash is on his lower half still makes me think that has something to do with it--his clothes or the stroller he might have sat in or the fabric of the shorts. Or did he eat something very different while at the zoo? Or pat any of the animals, say, at a petting zoo? Did he walk around on the grass maybe near a pond or lake or walk through some taller grasses or flowers?

We have not used the stroller in maybe a year, it was stored in closet. He did not pet any of the animals at the zoo. We did walk around in the grass there though. He has not had any new food either. I was thinking bug bite cause the first ones were on his leg just red bumps and then the next morning they scabed and I noticed the red bumps on his thighs and butt. The next day they were on his hands and feet. That's why doc did not think it was bug bite because it was spreading.

yes i can understand but trying to see if someone has encountered same symptoms and can maybe give some insight to what it is other than take benadryl and wait. Just concerned for my son and want to clear this up so he will be better. Obviously waiting and not knowing is my concern. If anyone has encountered this please give me some suggestions other than wait and see and go to doctors. Thanks

I do understand your concern, but I have to ask. If the doctors couldn't give you a diagnosis, people that go to school for 8 years training to work in the medical field, then what makes you think you'll get a diagnosis online?

I can guess, just like the doctors did, the list will be long, and only possibilities, no actual diagnosis.

What tests did the doctors do? Did they do any blood work, or anything else, or did they just look at the rash and guess?

It started after the zoo trip? Or had you noticed some spots before that?

They just looked at the rash and guessed, no tests. And doctors don't always know. My son also had misdiagnosed whooping cough when he was younger because of doctors diagnoses and thoughts on what he had. Thought it was bronchitis, neumonia,etc. This went on for over a month. Until I started researching and took matters into my own hands and found out it was whooping cough he cought from a kid in Mississippi. Doctors tested and confirmed it and treated and now my son is better. Not the same doctor we have now, but sometimes doing some research and asking around might help lead to a correct diagnosis. Sometimes even after all the schooling they are still not always correct. It happens we are human, so I would just like some suggestions of things to research and take back to the doctor so we can figure out what this rash is and get it taking care of. I obviously know that getting a diagnosis online is not the first step in caring for my child just trying to find answers that right now the doctor does not have.

When we left the zoo he started running a fever and threw up on car ride home. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive and we stopped for dinner so he got sick probably 3 hours after leaving zoo, I noticed the spots on his leg the next morning. He still had fever and we went to er that night and they said he probably had a flu bug. Then the next morning noticed a few more bumps on his thighs and butt. Called doc and got in on Friday and he had them on feet and hands, they said to give him benadryl and wait it out. They were not sure but thought it was either viral infection, chicken pox or hand foot and mouth

You certainly don't want to diagnosis yourself or your son from what you read on the Internet, but it can help to make you think of questions to ask the doctor or other avenues to try. For instance, three years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer, went through a lumpectomy and was told I would have to have probably 6-7 weeks of radiation because that was the standard practice. My lump was very new, the margins were clear, the lymph nodes were clear, and tests showed there was no apparent metastasizing going on anywhere in my body. I questioned the 6-7 weeks of radiation. "That's the gold standard," my doctor said. I'm a librarian and did a ton of research including on Internet and then presented my doctor with my case--the Canadian protocol of 3 weeks and why. He took my research and documents to the hospital cancer committee who grudgingly agreed on 3 weeks. I've heard that now breast cancer patients who have a small, new lump near the skin surface (like mine was) are now given a choice for radiation at that hospital, including the Canadian protocol.

I believe in being one's own best advocate and doing the thinking and quality research that will lead to an accurate diagnosis and good outcome.

What I would do is think back on every step of that zoo trip, He may have picked up something from another child or adult or from an animal or from the environment or a food. Or maybe it was something lurking in his body before the trip and came out on the way home. But I would sure think back on anything that he did or ate or wore that could have led up to this. And also for the days before the trip.

Sorry to hear about that, I hope you are well. I agree that online diagnosis is not the answer to health problems, However as you stated that research and working with your doctor is a good idea. I am just looking for suggestions and ideas to research and take back to him on Monday. I am not one to just sit and wait. I did that the last time and until I took it upon myself to do some research and take it back to doctor we did not know what was wrong with my son. After taking research back to doc we were able to get my son healthy. That is what I am trying to do now, so any suggestions on what it could be are helpful. Thank you for your help

Thanks wondergirl for trying to help with this, There was another child at zoo with us and so far she is OK. She stayed I stroller the whole time though. My son was not in it that much as he is older. Also none of the adults have any symptoms either. The only thing I can think of that he did but no one else did was play in the water mister that they have there for the kids to run through.

I would research that mister and possible irritants (chlorine? Chemicals?). That could explain his hands being affected.

OK thanks did not think of that. He has been in pools without a problem but maybe there is a chemical in it or higher clorine level. I talk to doctor about that on Monday. I appreciate your help!

Call the zoo to ask innocent questions about the mister and chemicals without telling why?

Good idea, thanks I will do that also. I will call first thing tomorrow.

Thanks wondergirl for trying to help with this, There was another child at zoo with us and so far she is ok. She stayed i stroller the whole time though. My son was not in it that much as he is older. Also none of the adults have any symptoms either. The only thing i can think of that he did but no one else did was play in the water mister that they have there for the kids to run through.

The water mister raises all sorts of alarms for me. Big time!

Now, this is not a diagnosis. I couldn't diagnose even if I wanted to, and I wouldn't try even if I could. This is just a guess, and not even an accurate one, I can't give it a name, I can only tell you that this is something you definitely should mention to your doctor.

Water, stagnant water, or water that isn't properly treated, is a huge red flag. Not so much the water coming out of the mist, but the water pooling around it. Think of all the kids that go through that water, and the possibilities of contamination. A child that is in a diaper, what is leaking into the water? A child with any sort of illness, in the water, which is likely not chlorinated, not treated. So many possibilities.

It reminds me of the time I went to a friends house for a hot tub party. The hot tub was not properly treated. For 1 week after that party I had an itchy rash all over my body. It was the hot tub. I got lucky. Not treating a hot tub properly can actually result in fatal illness to the people using the tub. In fact, a few years ago I read about a cruise ship with a hot tub, that didn't treat the tub properly. Many of the passengers that used the tub, died. Not to scare you. If it's just a rash, it's most likely treatable. But, the mister is definitely something to consider in this case.

Again, not a diagnosis. Please, don't read my words, go into a panic, and think that your son has some sore of parasite from the mister at the zoo. This is simply something I really think you should mention to his doctor.

Also, I'm not sure if you responded, but, did the doctor you saw do any tests, blood work, a skin scraping, anything, or did he/she just look at the rash and guess?

Or even say your son picked up a rash so you are backtracking everywhere he has been and need to know about any chemicals.

He just looked at it and guessed no tests. That is very helpful, and I will definitely bring up the mister to him on Monday. That was not something I mentioned to him because I did not even think of it. I never thought of the water on the ground or the possible contaminants that could be in it. That is very helpful and I will bring it to the docs attention. Hopefully he will do some tests on Monday, because it is not clearing up with the benadryl. Thanks again

See what we've done here? This is the beauty and wonder of the Internet--not for a diagnosis but to think things through and come up with new ideas and ways to look at a problem. Just like with my cancer radiation protocol.

He just looked at it and guessed no tests. That is very helpful, and i will definetly bring up the mister to him on monday. That was not something i mentioned to him because i did not even think of it. I never thought of the water on the ground or the possible contaminants that could be in it. That is very helpful and i will bring it to the docs attention. Hopefully he will do some tests on monday, because it is not clearing up with the benadryl. Thanks again

I just wrote to a friend of mine. He's not a doctor, yet. He's in med school, and brilliant. Wondergirl knows him as well. He used to be a member of this site.

I told him what you wrote here. Maybe he'll be able to give a better guess.

It ticks me off that they didn't do blood work, or even take a skin scraping, and just prescribed benadryl and sent your son on his way.

This is insane.

I'm sorry if I sounded harsh in the beginning. It's just that we get so many people coming here, unwilling to see a doctor, and hoping that we can diagnose cancer, AIDS, you name it. After a while you just post the "we can't diagnose on the internet, see a doctor", because really, there's no way we can diagnose.

My friend may be able to give you a better idea about what may be going on, but it still won't be a diagnosis. But, maybe he'll be able to say "tell her to go to the doctor, ask for these specific tests".

It could take a while. He's in his final year of med school, one month to go, final exams up the wazoo, and apparently it's not easy! ;) I skyped him, but I'm not sure when I'll hear from him. It could be in a hour, it could be in a week.

And your son's hands could have gotten "infected" if he, as kids will do, reached down onto the ground and splashed at the standing water and then patty-caked or something. And I still wonder about all those chemicals in the mist water.

Thanks I completely understand and sorry if I seemed harsh too. Just trying to find ideas as to what's wrong with him. I was upset that I got sent us away without test either with wait and see. I want to know what is wrong a clear it up. I also don't want to expose anyone else if it is something contagious. He goes to day care but has not been there in over a week due to end of year break. He will not be going on Monday and I will not be going to work. I am a single mother so I would like to find out what it is so we can get rid of it and resume our lives and he can be better. I really appreciate your help and just want some suggestions or ideas to present to the doctor so we can get tests and find out what it is. Thank you and I understand that some people on here post crazy things and expect someone to figure it out and give them answers instead of seeing a doctor. That is not the case I am trying to work with the doctor to find out what it is. I appreciate any feedback that may help. This is the first time I have used this site and reading some of the questions on here completely make me understand your post about not getting an internet diagnosis. It seems that's what most are after instead of ideas to take to doctors to get correct diagnosis. Again thanks for trying to help

See what we've done here? This is the beauty and wonder of the Internet--not for a diagnosis but to think things through and come up with new ideas and ways to look at a problem. Just like with my cancer radiation protocol.

I agree WG, but this is a rare case. I answered a poster today that wanted to know if his 12 year old sister has cancer. He gave a list of symptoms that could be anything from the common cold to AIDS. There are literally 100's if not thousands of possibilities with the symptoms he listed.

I asked if they'd seen a doctor. His response, no, we went online, and asked for a diagnosis there.

There's no way to diagnose anything online. That's what has me frustrated, and I have to admit, I answered this post shortly after responding to the other.

It's frustrating, and it's maddening, because I actually picture these people, I start to care about them, and I know they're not getting the help they need by going to internet sites that claim to diagnose you. So I state right away that it's not possible. I don't want anyone dying on my watch. I don't want anyone thinking that because I guessed, they don't need to go to a doctor.

I hope you can understand why I post what I post. No matter what you find on the internet, it can't compare to an actual visit to your doctor. We can guess at best. But that's all we can do.

Thanks i completely understand and sorry if i seemed harsh too. Just trying to find ideas as to whats wrong with him. I was upset that i got sent us away without test either with wait and see. I want to know what is wrong a clear it up. I also dont want to expose anyone else if it is something contagious. He goes to day care but has not been there in over a week due to end of year break. He will not be going on monday and i will not be going to work. I am a single mother so i would like to find out what it is so we can get rid of it and resume our lives and he can be better. I really appreciate your help and just want some suggestions or ideas to present to the doctor so we can get tests and find out what it is. Thank you and i understand that some people on here post crazy things and expect someone to figure it out and give them answers instead of seeing a doctor. That is not the case i am trying to work with the doctor to find out what it is. I appreciate any feedback that may help. This is the first time i have used this site and reading some of the questions on here completely make me understand your post about not getting an internet diagnosis. It seems thats what most are after instead of ideas to take to doctors to get correct diagnosis. Again thanks for trying to help

Well now you're just bringing tears to my eyes. Thanks for understanding. Stick around and you'll understand even more. ;)

I really am upset with your doctor though. Right now I'd demand that they do blood work, a skin scraping, anything. Just looking at a rash can't diagnose. Did they even ask you any questions? If they had, they should have come to the same conclusion we did, because really, it didn't take long to get to the zoo, the mister, and question whether that had something to do with it.

Have you thought about getting a second opinion? I would, and I'd write a list of all the things you did before the rash came on. If none of the things your son was exposed to raises a red flag with the doctors, I'd say "okay then, what tests do you need to do, because I'm not leaving here without knowing what's going on, and without a way to fix it. A guess won't do, I can get that on the internet for free. I'm paying you, so earn your pay!". :)

Wonder girl, that is a good possibility also I will talk to doctor, he did put his hands in the water on the ground and splash it, and he was wearing shorts and sandals so that could make sense why it is not on his torso. I will talk to doc about it. And alty I can understand your point too many people today try to make their own diagnosis on internet instead of working with doctors and doing research to find out ideas to talk to them about. Doctors are your best bet when finding out health problems but they don't always know what is wrong and a little research and communication with them is always good. I would not have thought about the mister without the comments from wonder girl so sometimes people can help. It might not be what it is but it's a idea to point it out to the doctor. Which I did not do or think of Friday. Thanks again for both of your help

Wonder girl, that is a good possiblity also i will talk to doctor, he did put his hands in the water on the ground and splash it, and he was wearing shorts and sandals so that could make sense why it is not on his torso. I will talk to doc about it. And alty i can understand your point too many people today try to make their own diagnosis on internet instead of working with doctors and doing research to find out ideas to talk to them about. Doctors are your best bet when finding out health problems but they dont always know what is wrong and a little research and communication with them is always good. I would not have thought about the mister without the comments from wonder girl so sometimes people can help. It might not be what it is but its a idea to point it out to the doctor. Which i did not do or think of friday. Thanks again for both of your help

Please keep us posted, let us know how your baby is doing, and what happens. So many times people post, we offer advice, we pour our hearts into it, and we never know what happened.

I really hope that you find the answer. Maybe it is just chicken pox. If one of the kids playing in the mister had the pox, your son could easily have picked it up. Again, not a diagnosis. ;)

Right now I'm more upset with your doctor than anything. If it is chicken pox, a simple test could diagnose that. The fact that they didn't bother, makes my blood boil. This is a 3 year old child, with a rash, and a fever, and they diagnose benadryl and say "um, ah, I don't know what it is". I can do that! Maybe I should quit my job and become a doctor, doesn't sound like it's too hard. ;)

Thanks alty I will not be leaving Monday with out some tests. I took him to er for fever and vomiting. Told them we were at zoo all day and he got sick on way home. They did a urine test to check for dehydration and then gave him meds to stop the vomiting and sent us home. He was not dehydrated. He drank plenty of bottled fluids that day. Then when I noticed rash the next day I called doctor and they said it was probably bug bites cause it was just on his shins and they had scabs. I told them about zoo and they did ask about new soaps or foods. But I have not changed anything. So all they did was prescribe benadryl and sent us away and said if it does not improve call on Monday, if it worsens go back to er.

Alty and I are going to hang out our shingle as the new pediatricians in town. I'll do the reference (medical) interview and she can figure out the treatment.

The more you post the more I think this has something to do with the water. It really makes sense. Not the mister, but the water that pools at the bottom where the mister is. If he put his hands in it, then, being a 3 year old, he probably put his hands in his mouth, which is why he has a rash in the mouth. The fact that the rash is just on the legs, makes sense too.

I'm going to do some research. My med school friend seems to be unavailable tonight. I just told him that I could do his job if all I had to say was "I don't know what it is, take benadryl", and that didn't get him to respond, so he's probably studying. LOL.

Let me see if I can find anything about water and rashes. Just remember, and I know I don't have to say it, but I'm covering my arse. Whatever I find is a guess, not a diagnosis. :)

I was not aware they could do a test for chicken pox, again good suggestion. I will definitely be talking to doc on Monday about getting some tests done. I will definitely let you know what we find out.

Thanks I completely understand its not a diagnosis. I will be calling the zoo first thing tomorrow to ask about chemicals. I already called school/daycare and no other kids have had chicken pox or any rashes. Even though he has not been there in over a week. He goes to a montessori school and is in preschool there even though he should not be in preschool until next year. He just turned three in march. I agree you guys are already giving it more thought than his doctor did. Im not discrediting doctors just think sometimes they just don't take enough time these days to ask enough questions. I really wish they would have just done a test to try to actually know what it is instead of sending us away with benadryl. I could have given him that myself without going. And it is not helping. And if it is contagious I don't want anyone else to get it. So without knowing what it is I don't know how long to keep him home so no other kids get it.

I've trained my doctor to ask questions. :)

Alty and I are going to hang out our shingle as the new pediatricians in town. I'll do the reference (medical) interview and she can figure out the treatment.

Seriously? You do realize that this could be dangerous.

I have read the entire thread and it does indeed sound like hand foot and mouth (disease). Disease is a misnomer as it is actually a virus and will go away on it's own.

I was not aware they could do a test for chicken pox, again good suggestion. I will definetly be talking to doc on monday about getting some tests done. I will definetly let you know what we find out.

I'm fairly sure there is a test (not 100% positive). As far as I know, and I'm not a doctor, it's not a quick test, but there is a test (again, not 100% positive), it does take time though. Still, if chicken pox was suspected, they should have done the test, or told you that there isn't one. There is a blood test to check for immunity to chicken pox. But, that test can really only show if you've had chicken pox in the past, not if you have it now. I'll do more research on that.

One thing I can recommend. If you find out that it's not chicken pox, there is a chicken pox vaccine. I had both my kids vaccinated. Some people say that it's not a sure thing, that you can still get chicken pox, but, if you do it won't be nearly as bad as it would be were you not vaccinated. Both my kids are, one is 13, the other 9, and neither have gotten the chicken pox, and they've been exposed many times.

I do have to thank you. You've taught me something valuable. After 4 years on this site, I've become a bit jaded. You can only answer so many "Am I pregnant, do I have cancer, I have a lump on my penis, what is it?" questions before you start answering with the generic "see your doctor" response. You taught me that not everyone is here looking for a diagnosis, or expecting a cure. Some people just want ideas, something to take to the doctors that aren't listening. My main response will still be to see a doctor, but in the future, I think I will be a lot more open to discussion, and not so quick to say "just see your doctor".

I think you have given me far more than I can ever offer you, and I thank you for that. :)

Seriously? You do realize that this could be dangerous.

C'mon, J. It was a lighthearted remark in line with how the thread was working out. I'll be sure to add a ;) next time.

Connellyjyc, please follow your doctor's orders. They are doctors for a reason. They have spent thousands, even hundreds of thousands for their medical training.

As a nurse, I have to agree with the primary diagnosis. And I DO have the medical training to back it up.

Im going to head to bed, the rash has not slowed the little guy down, but late nights of research has slowed me down. I have been looking at pictures of rashes and everything I can online to try and find something that fits this. I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions and will be going in Monday with lots of questions and ideas to hopefully stear the doc into the right tests and hope to find an answer to this rash so my little guy can play with friends and get back to school. The mister was a great idea. Again I never even thought of it and probably would not have without your help. Thanks again I really appreciate your help with this.

Remember that the internet can be your enemy just as it can be your friend.

Seriously? You do realize that this could be dangerous.

I have read the entire thread and it does indeed sound like hand foot and mouth (disease). Disease is a misnomer as it is actually a virus and will go away on it's own.

J, I'm sure WG was kidding. The only shingle I could hang out is one I built. I can say it would be pretty, but not valid. ;)

I have to say though, I could be the OP's doctor. I could say "I don't know what it is, just give him benadryl" for $250 a visit with the greatest of ease. It's a no brainer, and that's what has me offering suggestions on this thread. The doctors didn't do their job, they didn't even try to.

If it is hand foot and mouth disease, a throat swab should at least have been done, at least to rule out other bacterial infections. But nothing. Just a look at the rash and "I don't know what it is, if it gets worse bring him back".

The doctors didn't do their job, they didn't even try to.

I disagree. Remember, we PRACTICE medicine. There are many things that are obscure that we don't see on a daily basis. "I don't know" is more common than you think it is. It's better to treat the symptoms rather than do nothing at all if you aren't sure.

It didn't even sound like the doctor asked questions--not like we did here in fairly short order.

J I appreciate your post and I am following doctors orders. I also understand that wondergirl was joking with her post. I am not looking for diagnosis and do realize that they are not my sons doctor and that I also will be taking him back to see his doctor on Monday. Doctors do not always get a diagnosis right. As with my sons previous condition. Alty I'm glad we could help each other. I have read quite a few posts on here and am shocked by what people post. Especially looking for answers here first instead of going to a doctor. The am a pregnant ones really are ridiculous. There are over the counter tests for that. I completely understand why you would be a bit jaded. It seems like most people do come on here for a diagnosis when they should be going to a doctor. Seems like there are not many that are on here for the right reasons, to work with their doctor to come up with the answer. Again thanks and I realize that everything said on here is for informational purposes not a diagnosis.

The main lesson here is to be your very own best advocate. Ask questions and don't let the doctor slide out the door after a superficial visit.

I agree! It is also good for a patient to know the right questions to ask the doctor. I was not aware of tests for chicken pox or they could test for hand foot and mouth. Since the doctor suggested these he should have tested for them instead of sending us away with benadryl. I will follow doctors orders and keep him on benadryl and home until I see him again Monday to get some answers. It is also helpful to have come up with the mister, and bring that to his attention. This was in no way meant to diagnose my son but to come up with ideas to talk to doctor about so we can get a correct diagnoses and treatment. Thanks again I will let you know what the doctor finds out

J i appreciate your post and I am following doctors orders. I also understand that wondergirl was joking with her post. I am not looking for diagnosis and do realize that they are not my sons doctor and that i also will be taking him back to see his doctor on monday. Doctors do not always get a diagnosis right. As with my sons previous condition. Alty im glad we could help each other. I have read quite a few posts on here and am shocked by what people post. Especially looking for answers here first instead of going to a doctor. The am a preg ones really are ridiculous. There are over the counter tests for that. I completely understand why you would be a bit jaded. It seems like most people do come on here for a diagnosis when they should be going to a doctor. Seems like there are not many that are on here for the right reasons, to work with their doctor to come up with the answer. Again thanks and I realize that everything said on here is for informational purposes not a diagnosis.


I'm glad that you understand that WG was joking, but I deal with all different levels of education. What a girl that has only finished 7th or 8th grade will take advice differently than someone with a high school diploma or a college degree.

Many people come here actually expecting a diagnosis. What WG said about her and Alty could be taken serious by some posters. That opens us up to the litigious nature of medicine.

I am happy to know that you seem to be the educated parent who is trying to look out for the best interests of your child, however, we must be cautious when we answer these questions. Look at the name of the site... Ask Me Help Desk... Live Answers from REAL Experts. Some people take what we say as gospel. In the medical field this could be VERY dangerous. Best said, if you don't know for sure... DON'T answer!