Whole body rash

Yesterday my 12 1/2 year old son woke up with a rash  on his chest, arms, and hands. It is a reddish, blotchy,  raised,  irregular shaped rash.  It doesn't itch. He was taken to a doctor who described it as a "non specific rash" and prescribed Allegra.

Todayb when he awoke it was all over his body, head to toe.  We haven't made any changes to detergent, soaps, diet etc.

Any suggestion?

Thanxx

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Tom:

What you descibe is almost certainly a virus rather than an allergy.  I never cease to be amazed how widespread is the conviction that soaps and detergents cause rashes.  It's as though everybody in the universe read the same book and, what is more miraculous, actually remembers what they read!

Total body rashes, especially in kids, are alarming to look at but of little sugnificance.  If your doctor dismissed it as "nonspecific"  (i.e. pointing to nothing in particular), I would just chill and wait a couple of days.   It will get better.  But please--don't throw out the Tide!

Best.

Dr. R

[Tom Poynton]

Thanxx for your help.  Today the rash is gone.

[ArtBryant]

A related discussion, Total body rash was started.