11 month old, blisters all over body after mosquito bite, also has eczema

[MikeB1973]

My 11 month old has been having a rough 6 months.  I believe he has 2 separate problems - the first being the spots on his head which we currently believe are eczema, and the 2nd seems to have started with a mosquito bite.  

Here is a basic timeline of events:

1/2009 (3 months old) - My son developed a couple of quarter-size spots on his head, with a rough crusty texture, yellowish in color.  The pediatrician diagnosed the spots as cradle cap and said they would go away with time.

5/28/2009 - Spots on his head started "oozing", also developed small red spots on his face and upper body.  Pediatrician diagnosed as a staph infection, and treated with oral anti-biotics (cephalexin).  This seemed to clear up the infection, but the spots on his head remained.

6/15/2009 - Spots on his head started oozing again, again diagnosed as a staph infection, also an ear infection, treated with oral anti-biotics (amoxicillin/clavulanate) plus topical anti-biotic (bactroban), plus hydrocortisone 2.5%.  Cleared up the infection, but the head spots remained.

7/31/2009 - Spots leaking again, treated with oral anti-biotics (cephalexin).  Cleared up the infection, but the head spots remained.

8/5/2009 - Pediatrician referred us to a dermatologist, who diagnosed the spots as nummular eczema.  Dermatologist prescribed fluocinolone (to reduce itching/etc) plus P&S glycerin to lift the crustiness at night.  The spots improved significantly, and we thought we might be turning the corner.

9/4/2009 - Spots leaking again, dermatologist prescribed HC valerate cream to use in place of fluocinolone.  No noticeable improvement, spots seem to be spreading, but still only on his head.

9/5/2009 - My son developed cold-like symptoms (runny nose, cough).  Other family members also developed a cold.

9/6/2009 - My son was bit by a mosquito on his forearm.  My wife saw the mosquito and swatted it away, so we are 99% certain the bite was from a mosquito.

9/7/2009 - Mosquito bite is fairly large and hard, started developing bumps on the outer portions of it.

9/8/2009 - Mosquito bite worse, started developing spots on hands/feet/chest/back, pediatrician diagnosed as hand/foot/mouth and not related to mosquito bite, prescribed bactroban for mosquito bite.

9/10/2009 - Heat spots leaking again, even more head spots, also more spots all over body, large blisters on feet, pediatrician recommend visit to dermatologist.

9/10/2009 - Dermatologist diagnosed as some virus in the same family as hand/foot/mouth.  No testing was done, they are just guessing.  Said should start looking better in a few days.  Prescribed cephalexin for head spot infection.  Very slight improvement, not significant, some spots faded, more spots developed.

9/18/2009 - Contacted dermatologist, recommended putting more bactraband on head spots.  Spots continued to developed, getting larger and worse looking, leaking.  Head spots continue to get worse.

9/21/2009 - Another visit to dermatologist, still no further diagnosis, suggested that some viruses can take 6 weeks to pass.  I started getting upset at this point, and after our insistance that something be done my son was scheduled for a skin biopsy for today.

My son appears to be very itchy, and from the look at these spots they must hurt.  Other than being squirmy, he seems to be in a good mood.  No fever so far.  However, these spots look horrible and continue to get worse.

I'm upset that no testing has been done up until this point, and especially surprised that the mosquito bite which seems to have started the whole body blists is being ignored.

I'm looking for any suggestions or advice, because at this point I feel fairly helpless as my son seems to get worse and worse.

Here are a couple of photos, but the head spots look much worse in person:

http://www.techav.com/misc/matthew/092309a.jpg
http://www.techav.com/misc/matthew/092309b.jpg
http://www.techav.com/misc/matthew/092309c.jpg

Thanks in advance.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I am so sorry for the pain and discomfort that the poor child has to go through. I can very well understand your concern. From the symptoms and picture, the possibilities that are coming to my mind are impetigo and nummular eczema ( as your dermatologist has suggested). Summer sores is another name for impetigo. It is a superficial bacterial skin infection. Primarily caused by Staphylococcus aureus and sometimes by Streptococcus pyogenes. Topical and oral antibiotics are the treatment of choice. My sincere advice would be to consult a dermatologist and get these two possibilities evaluated.

It is good that you have got the biopsy done as clear cut results can be obtained. You can also get a culture sensitivity of the fluid oozing out from the head sores to identify the type of microbial causing it and then specific antibiotics can be prescribed.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how your son is doing or if you have any additional queries. Warm regards.

[The_Gardener]

Swap out the water supply, the food supply with something different.  Avoid using any detergents in the laundry etc.    Bottled water etc.  

Consider A&D Cream.
http://www.myadbaby.com/products.html