Dub, my gut reaction is some sort of mold or fungus - possibly spread through the children because of things children do - like touching each other and putting their hands in their own mouths..... It does not appear to have shown up in any adults - strange - Both schools are older and in an older part of town..... toxic, maybe, but not affecting anyone outside of the building.
We have experienced a very very mild winter - some schools in NJ and closer to Philadelphia have reported the same symptoms.... I'm wondering if it could be some sort of fungus or mold associated with the strange weather? Who knows...... but, thanks again for asking...
But during this time .. my oldest and only child at the time came down with a rash .. red spots all over her body .. once we pulled the walls out and had them replaced .. she was fine
I know this is probably a stupid question, but the fact that there is a low-grade fever that goes along with the rash makes me wonder. Have the doctors ruled out Fifth Disease? My girls both had it when they were in elementary school, but I got it, as well as several of the teachers. Low grade fever first, (that's when they're contageous), and then a red rash that itches like the dickens. Especially noticable on the cheeks, (both upper and lower):o)
I always thought they looked like somebody had slapped them across the face, hard. It lasted about the same length of time as chicken pox does. The doctors took a while to diagnose it when it first started here in our school district. Then they told us that once the rash shows up the kids were not contageous any longer so they might as well go to school if they weren't too uncomfortable.
I hope they figure it out soon. I'm sure it's stressful.