rash on 2 year old

[rph03]

Maybe I am just paranoid.  I posted a question here last week about scabies.  In January, a doctor told me that the rash on my feet and arms that I had had for 6 months was scabies.  I was treated, and my whole family was treated.  I still have the problem, and a different doctor told me it was probably never scabies but atopic dermatitis.  My daughter has had a cold for about a week, and now this morning she has a rash on her back, chest, and legs.  Some of it is just tiny close together red bumps, and there are some isolated bumps.  WHAT IS IT AND COULD IT BE SCABIES AFTER ALL THIS TIME???? She does not seem to be bothered by it, but she is only 2. Do 2 year olds understand about itching and scratching?

[bethharold]

My child is 2 years old and a small rash about the size of your pinky finger nail started about 2 weeks ago and on Mon. of this week I notice it was on his stomach and took him to the Dr. on Fri. it was spreading from one to the other and she gave me a topical gel and today it is spreading worse.  It is in a quarter size oval over right hip area and spreading down and around to the one on his back.  What can this be?

[truman]

Consider the possibility of Roseola, which causes a rash after a few days of fever.  The rash looks really scary but signals the end of the illness and usually doesn't need to be treated.  Call your pediatrician to double check.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It doesn't sound as though it could have been scabies to start with, and it certainly doesn't sound like scabies now, on either of you.  Most likely you daughter has a rash associated with the same virus that's given her the cold.  I'd check with her pediatrician on that and with a skin doctor about yourself.  But I suggest you forget about scabies, period.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff