2 yr. old with reoccuring rash on knees, elbows and knuckles

[Agoldie]

My son has been getting a reoccuring rash on his kneecaps, elbows and on his finger joints.  After looking at sites that offer a possibility of juvenile arthritis I am a bit rattled.  He has seen his pediatrician during a flare up and she was not sure what this could be.  There does not appear to be any preceding fever, no swelling, no itching.  He does not even notice these varied sized pink bumps.  The bumps do not blister, they just shrink and go away to different degrees.  They occur most often on knees an elbows and occasionally on finger joints.  I do not believe I am doing anything different for soaps or food.  I put unscented lotion on him each night after his bath and use oatmeal unscented soap for that.  There is no malaise as some of the psoratic arthritis sites has indicated and he is usually a bundle of energy and happiness.  I am hoping that you can give me some direction as this has gone on for about two months with no more than a couple of days in between each flare up.  I would say that there is usually 5-12 bumps on his joints at any given time.  Please help!

[nyingiro]

A related discussion, Rashes was started.

[Whatisthis987]

A related discussion, Rash on Knees, Elbows, knuckles of hands was started.

[aikaadmi]

This is very similar to my problem. I have this recurring rash on inside of my elbows, both upper and lower arm, inside of my knees both upper and lower leg. The rash takes about 2-3 weeks from apearing to disappearing. Starts with small pink blisters, that turn to deeper reddish spots. At later stage of the rash the itch increases. Then it withers automatically and the spots turns bluish, and in a few days disappear completely. I never get the rash at more than one area at a time.

If someone has any information please do send me the info at my email address ***@****

Thanks

Aik Aadmi

[jade4]

The rash you discribed about your son seems very similar to what I have been dealing with since my early teens. I get red bumps on my knees and elbows, but just within the last year have started having them on the inside of my hands and on my fingers. They are very sore and they are like blisters - if I pop them it seems to get worse, so I try not too. They eventually dry out and scab and peel off, but within a week I get new ones. I don't know what they are from either, if anyone knows - please email me ***@****. thanks!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

As I'm sure you realize, arthritis refers to swelling of the joints.  A rash on the skin on top of the joints does not imply or suggest arthritis.  Although I'm not sure exactly what this rash is, I doubt it has any systemic significance.  (I assume your son is otherwise healthy.)  My advice is to set up an appointment with a skin doctor.  If possible, take photos of the rash when it's in full bloom, in case it isn't there when you see the doctor.  If the rash disappears before you get the appointment--and that wouldn't surprise me at all--I'd forget about it.  Lots of funny rashes come and go without meaning anything.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff