13 month old has terrible itchy rash for over a week

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My DD is 13 months and broke out in a terrible rash 1.5 weeks ago.  It is really itchy and she is really uncomfortable.  I have had her to the doctor twice.  The say it is either an allergy or virus.  If she is not better by the end of this week, they will refer us to a dermalologist.  I am concerned that she is allergic to something.  We have cut all dairy and gluten since Friday and don't see any response.  No one else in daycare or our family has the rash, so I don't know how it could be a virus.  What do you think it could be?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your daughter. How is she now?

The rash you are talking about could be a heat rash, a reaction to something, a virus or a skin infection, among other things. A 13 month old must be eating other things too. Did you start something new with the child about 1.5 weeks ago—that is when the rash erupted? Cutting dairy or gluten products will only help if the child is allergic to them. Peanut butter, egg, fish, soy products etc are more commonly known to cause rash in children. See if anything was started recently.

Some children are allergic to a particular kind of fiber. Please check if you have started using a new set of clothes or towel. Introduction of a new shampoo, soap, body lotion, cream, oil or other toiletries too can cause allergic reaction

Please discuss these possibilities with your general physician and dermatologist. If the child is uncomfortable, I suggest please schedule an earlier visit to the dermatologist.

Let me know what your doctors say. If you need more help, please feel free to contact. I’ll be happy to answer your queries.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The doctors are right in saying that it can be either an allergy or a viral infection.In my opinion,it can be either dermatitis like eczema,hives or rash of measles.

Eczema is a form of chronic dermatitis (rash).Allergic reaction is one of the important causes of eczema. Allergic reaction can occur to strong soaps, Solvents, chemicals, certain foods, food additives, plants, metals, cosmetics, even urine and faeces of some animals (dust mites).
Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.Many cases of hives are "idiopathic," meaning no cause is known. Others may be triggered by viral infections or medications.
Measles symptoms include an itchy rash(appearing first on scalp), fever for at least three days, cough, coryza (runny nose), conjunctivitis (red eyes) and koplik’s spots seen inside the mouth(not always).

I feel that a dermatologist’s consultation will be the best as without examination,making a diagnosis is tough.