Posted on 09/24/2011 1:27:01 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
My daughter was diagnosed with Scarlet Fever this morning...a horrible rash has broken out from head to toe the likes I have never seen nor had myself my entire life. She is 3.5 yrs old...she has been on penicillin for the last 6 days and my wife called me at work yesterday to tell me our daughter was having hives breaking out on her back and shoulders.
I said get her to her doctor now...she called them and they said to just stop taking the penicillin and make an appointment to come in tomorrow (this was yesterday mind you), she had her innoculation shots for school along with the flu shot just a week ago when she was at the doctor. The doctor discovered that she had 2 ear infections at that time when it was a "well" visit. Our daughter never complained of any pain or anything so this was a complete shock.
I told my wife screw that...take her to the new doctor down the street that just opened up this week and get her in there. They gave her a steroid shot and said she was allergic to penicillin and that the rash should go away in 24 hours.
Well, she prescribed her z-pak liquid...and said to take benadryl for kids. She woke up with the rash even more spread out all over her body from head to toe...rushed her over to her doctor who was shocked to see what she saw. Now she says after looking in her throat that she has scarlet fever because there were white rings around parts of the rash and that the rash itched and one of her tonsils was swollen and the other wasn't so it had to be strep causing this and hence it was scarlet fever.
Gave her another shot...this time prednisone and liquid prednisone to take at home along with children's motrin, and benadryl...saying it will take about 6 days for the rash to go away completely and to come in tomorrow morning for a follow up and to begin taking the z-pak again since she stopped her today to give her body a chance to take the steroids and then fight the strep tomorrow for the next 7 days.
I am worried sick about this and want to make the right decisions here. Why this doctor didn't pick up on strep yesterday is beyond me ditto the drastic change in the rash...like a million dots all over her back and front and face and legs.
Should I just do what the doctor says to do here for the next 24 hrs or should I take the next step and take her to the hospital? She is not running a fever right now, is able to eat and drink fine and is extremely coherent. It just kills me to see this happening to her and really am looking for some advice on here if anyone has had this or has had kids that have had it.
Our daughter has not complained once about a sore throat...eaten normal...played hard...etc...so confused...any help or advice is appreciated.
I’d get her to a hospital, ASAP, if you can do it. even with whatever weekend crew they might have. Be blessed, God watch over you.
Lisa from FB
I had it for about a week as a kid. I was sick as hell. I had a friend who had it and it damaged his heart but he recovered after a number of years. They told us back then in the 60’s to not do anything strenous and not even read as it might damage the eyes. Maybe you should check WebMD but surely they have better medicines these days.
Scarlet fever used to be common, Doctors don’t see it much anymore, and it’s hard to distinguish between scarlet fever, allergic rash, etc. Just my opinion...
My sister had scarlet fever when she was about six, she was really sick. As a kid it scared me to see her like that.
Apparently, it was untreated strep throat, that progressed to scarlet fever.
I seem to remember her being sick for a couple of weeks but it took many days for her to start feeling better after treatment started. We found out then she was allergic to penicillin, I don’t recall what the treatment ended up being.
My greatest recollect was that rash, and that the skin on her hands peeled off. She didn’t have pain with that, it just looked bad.
Will remember your little one in prayer.
A good friend’s daughter used to get Scarlet Fever as a manifestation of strep. She would never get a sore throat or show typical strep symptoms. When the rash arrived, that’s when they knew.
Prayers and good thoughts for your daughter. She’ll be fine.
BTW, the rash went away with no problems in my case.
if it was strep (which is what causes scarlet fever) then the penicillin she was originally on should have taken care of it. Sounds like just a bad drug rash from the penicillin. Sure wouldn’t give her that again.
My daughter had Scarlet Fever. She recovered well with antibiotics alone.
I’m a strong proponent of following your ‘gut instinct’ when it comes to these matters. There’s no harm in getting a second opinion. If you don’t think she can wait, then don’t wait.
My ‘gut’ has saved my kids many times over the years and the few times that I really was overreacting didn’t seem to cause any harm.
I would not take her to the hospital unless her fever returns or her other symptoms get worse. JMHO
Take a deep breath and follow the medical advice you have been given. Stay in touch with your physician and he/she will advise if a hospital visit is needed.
There are some informational medical sites (regarding scarlet fever/scarletina) on the web which might help with your understandable anxiety.
Grandbabies were recently exposed to chicken pox. I was quite surprised - thinking that all kids were routinely vaccinated against those ‘old’ diseases.
God bless and good luck.
St. Blaise is the patron saint of throat infections, you might want to ask him to pray for you.
I will pray for you and your family as well.
Had it @ age 5 while family visiting UK 40 yrs ago? High fever 106+ but got anti-B and was fine w/in few days
Our daughter had scarlet fever from undiagnosed strep throat. She never said her throat was sore, never ran a fever, nothing that would make us know she was sick.
If I were you I’d call friends with kids and get a pediatrician recommendation. If a few agree on one pediatrician I would take her there ASAP on Monday. Nothing will happen in the meantime and it’s certainly not life threatening.
Also you may want to look on Angie’s list for pediatricians in your area that have good reviews. I’ve never gone wrong using the reviews on Angie’s list and what you need is a pediatrician that several folks agree is good.
Good luck.
I am a 59 year old female and am very healthy and happy. I had Scarlet Fever as a child and I remember my Mom going absolutely CRAZY because in her youth, it was often fatal. With all of the antibiotics available today, I’m certain that your daughter will be just fine. Please stay calm and she will stay calm as well.
Do some googling ! At least take a minute to look at wikipedia... I know, I know don’t trust everything, etc.
But for a quick 60 second synopsis, it’s a start. Then google around.
I just like to have a clue when I’m talking to doctors - I find that if I do some simple web research it helps in finding a good doctor and keeping all doctors aware of the fact that I’m doing my homework.
My daughter had scarlet fever - as others have said, part of a strep infection - at about age 5. (This would have been about 1988.) I was alarmed upon hearing the term, but the pediatrician reassured me that it was not in any way a frightening or dangerous thing any more and would resolve without problem in a few days, which it did. It was a very mild event, actually, and she wasn’t that sick, symptom-wise. Not even really uncomfortable. Scary to hear the words, though.
Taking her to a hospital...takes hours in the waiting room with other sickies all around you. She could easily pick up something else.
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