Rash - 3 year old

I got home from work last night (9pm) my husband says our son Nathan has a rash on his chest so I go down to look at him. Here is this rash on his sternum (no where else) it is deep reddish and almost purply looking, it's flat you can't feel it and he doesn't itch at it. To me it almost looks like road rash but you can't feel it that's the best way I can describe this rash. I've never seen anything like this and he is going to the clinic this afternoon. I was just hoping some of you ladies may have some insight...my FNP-C at work can't figure it out...

[jenstam]

Has he been in any weeds at all? I've seen something similar to this when my kids were playing around in the weeds. You're in MN as well, right? I would think that is what it is. Does it itch at all? Burn? I was going to say it could be heat rash too, but it hasn't been hot enough here!

[kellym]

to me it looks like a scrape, but I can't see it that well.

[jenstam]

It does look like a scrape, but I'm assuming you have ruled that out? Boys can play rough. Could he have scraped on something and not remember? I guess if it doesn't itch and he's not complaining, I would just wait and see if it goes away. That is, if it's not anywhere else on his body.

[amberd5191]

Yea its not a scrap you can't feel it at all it is smooth like his skin. Yep I'm in MN too...not sure about him being near anything...with how well my dh watches sometimes I did not rule that out lol. He says it doesn't hurt or itch. I'm interested to see what the ped. tells my dh probably "contact dermatitis" lol. I will let you ladies know what they say :)

[amberd5191]

I can't decide if the MN weather is a blessing or a curse right now...being pregnant and having the heat doesn't sound like fun but it has been sort of gloomy.

[AnnieBrooke]

Fifths Disease, especially if he had that characteristic "slapped cheeks" look a few days back, but sometimes is characterized by a rash that moves to the trunk.

[jenstam]

I am LOVING this MN weather this summer, only because I'm prego, I bet you are, too! It has been a bit gloomy, but that coolness feels much better than sweating like a pig! (: It saves on the air conditioning and lawn watering too!

Anyhow, let us know what the ped says!

[amberd5191]

Well we are waiting for more tests. (Of course I'm at work going stir crazy now). They said it is Petechiae which may not be serious but they want to see the rest of the test results later today to decide if it is. (Could be something serious like leukemia the doc said not so worry until we get the labs back). He also said that it sometimes can be caused by coughing (hasn't had that) or being hit really hard (think his older brother would have some explaining to do) as this can cause blood vessels to burst. Now I just want the results!

[jenstam]

Whoa! Glad you had it checked out!! Keep us posted! I hope it's nothing serious.

[amberd5191]

Thank you. I can't stand waiting around and wondering. I hope the results are in soon!

[AnnieBrooke]

Wow, petechiae sure has a lot of possible causes, from ho-hum to serious.  (See health . discovery . com / encyclopedias / illnesses . html ? article = 972 [take away all the spaces]) .  I hope they are able to get answers right away.

[amberd5191]

Thank you for the article it was very helpful to read! I am such a worrier when it comes to my kids, I feel like I am giving myself anxiety sitting here waiting for the test results. He said they would be back "later today" so I keep waiting...

[amberd5191]

Waiting on the results of one more test, so far so good!

[amberd5191]

Hi Ladies! His blood levels were good! :) What a huge relief, I feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted.

[jenstam]

Whew!! Glad to hear all is well! Now you can relax! Thanks for updating us worried cyber aunties!

[amberd5191]

Well guess what...my oldest son had a fever today and a sore throat...the cause to my youngest son's rash has now been diagnosed (by me at the clinic after I ran a strep test). Nice huh? 3 out of 4 of my kids actually tested positive today for strep...sure hope it is gone by the time baby arrives!

[AnnieBrooke]

Take strep seriously in a child -- it can affect a kid's liver.  (It happened to my nephew.)  Google those less-often-seen effects just so you know what to watch for.