Rashes on Stomach & Back of a Toddler

[g8rgirl2882]

My 2yr. old son starting showing signs of, what I recognized, an allergic skin rash.  It isn't as severe as hives, or raised in sections (but that was the first thing that came to mind).  I tried to remember if he had a new food lately, but couldn't think of anything (and I've been conservative on what he eats since the rash appeared).  The rash, when I first noticed it, was about 3 days ago, & was on the inside of his arms, chest, stomach, & back.  I gave him a dose of Benedryl reguarly, over the next 24 hours, which seemed to help it to go away on the arms & the make the red color disappear, but it is still on his back & stomach.  It's hard to even see he has a rash, unless you look very close or touch his skin.  The touch of the skin is very pimply (consistant coverage on the back & stomach)  - that's the best way I can describe it.  Almost like when you have goosebumps, that same texture, but very little color.  The only other symptom are a cough/light runny nose (but he has had those prior to the rash appearing).  The color of the mucus is clear to opaq;  NO fever, raised skin, blistering, etc.  He was bitten by a few ants the middle of last week but the rash didn't appear for 24/48 hrs, and he has been bit by ants in the past without this reaction.  Also, he is acting completely normal, so I know his stomach isn't upset, or that he really feels bad, and that they aren't itching (since he doesn't mess with or even notice)  Do you have any idea what could be causing this, how long it will presist (approx. of course!) & treatment for this sort of situation.  

[Deeds]

I wouldn't play around and I'd take him to the doctor. Toddlers are too hard to diagnose!  It could be as simple as a new allergy but, I'd check with a physician.  

[tmv]

yep, what deeds said. I'd use a topical ointment like cortaid until seeing a dr. It may help get rid of the rash, but you should let the dr know. tmv

[mon2005]

My 2 y.o son seems to be having the exact same symptoms. Can you tell me what the outcome was and how long it lasted?

[mambit]

I am off to the doc. today for the same reason...my boy is acting normal but the rash has been coming and going for about a week.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
This does seem to be an allergic rash.You can continue him on the Benadryl syrup for about 3-5 days or till symptoms subside.
This should take about a week.
It could be a re-action to the ant bite or sofood related or you may noy be able to isolate the cause.
Keep his bed linen clean and dust free.
He should be okay in a week.

[MPMommy]

My daughter is 2.5 and has had hives for 3 weeks now!  I have been wracking my brain trying to think of anything new she's experienced recently and I can't come up with anything.  No new foods, soaps, detergents, etc.  I took her to the Dr when they first showed up (I didn't know what the rash was and it was all over her legs and butt) and he said to give her Benadryl.  Well, it made her so sleepy, we only gave it to her at naptime and bedtime.  A week later, she still had them, so I called the Dr and was told to giver her Claritin twice a day.  She responded really well and had no hives for a day or two, but then started showing hives again even with the constant dosage.  We're now at week 3 and I have an appt with her Dr on Wed.  I don't know what else to do.  Thankfully they don't seem to bother her!  The hives come and go over the hours on her arms, legs, butt and face.  I've been calling her my pink dalmation.  :(  I think I'm going to ask for an allergy scratch test.  She hasn't been sick (I've read sometimes hives can be caused by a virus) and is otherwise acting normally.  If anyone can give any advice, I'd love to hear it!