hand swelling then non-itchy red ring rash traveling up arm to chest

[boysmom23]

*please help my baby* 2 1/2 weeks ago my 2 yr old son presented with mild pain in finger with no sign of insect or cat bite (though he was in vicinity of both possible) and no itching.  the swelling and redness started several hours later all over hand (bright red, hot to touch and puffiness not stiff to the touch with quick capillary reaction from red to white to red again).  when the swelling/redness/mild pain persisted and spread to the wrist he was treated with cephalexin and prednisone for 7 and 5 days respectively.  the rash seemed to fade and pain/swelling dimished but not entirely.  3 days later the red rash is stronger on his elbow with another red rash ring around his sholder and another around shoulder toward chest with continuing complaints of pain in hand and arm.  still hot to the touch with no itching and he has also had a low grade fever almost continously these past 2 1/2 weeks (98.9-100) and been unusually clingy and fussy. drs we've seen are not sure what to do.  ??what could be the cause and what further treatment could we try ??  please help**

[Londres70]

Thank goodness you got some answers to the problem.  

All the best to you and your little one.  

[boysmom23]

Thanks a lot for the responses. We took him to his second ER visit on Sunday at AI Dupont/Nemours, a very good Children's hospital in Wilmington DE and they diagnosed him with Lymes disease from a hand bite (the deer tick did not attach at all) and checked for bacterial meningitis, but that was thankfully negative.  So we have a month of antibiotics to do and then further checks with a childrens Lymes specialist located via ILADS online directory.  A blood test confirmed the Lymes diagnosis yesterday.

[Londres70]

Sounds like the child should be hospitalized and ID (Infectious Disease) consulted.

You can also post in the Pediatric and Infectious Diseases Communities.  

[HeatherMcGann]

From what I gather with the information you have provided, it sounds like your boy had or/ has an infection and should be seen by a specialist right away. I would not take any chances with this. I would try a dermatologist that specializes in rashes and such and if that gets you no where then get another opinion, even if it means traveling to another location or hospital. I know that ring worm will appear as a red ring around the skin area and give a slight fever in most cases. Especially if he has been around pets, they could have spread it to him by a bite. Like I said, I have a 3 yr old little girl whom has had many medical issues and if I were in that predicament, I wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.
Best of luck to you & your family...