my sons rash

[marcialeer]

My son has a rash that looks like a sunburn, it started as a small circle on his cheek that spread to his nose,chin and a little by his brow mostly on the right side of his face. I brought him to the doctors on Monday morn where the gave him triamcinolon 0.1% cre and cephalexin 250/5ml sus.
I brought him back 2 days latter because I seen no improvement than they told me not to put the ouintment on anymore but continue the antibiotic. Well today is Saturday 5 days into the antibotic and is not improving. The rash is not bothering him and is not itching it. We do not have this so I'm not thinking its contagious. No blisters no bumps just very red (like a burn) We did take a hike in River Falls Wi by the kinikinik river, swam in a pool and I'm not sure if a plant insevt or pool chemicals can couse this but this is such a long time to see no improvement so I'm very concerned I am afraid it could cause scaring and its on his face so any advice would be greatly appreciated! Marcialee

[chellybeans]

me too :)

[marcialeer]

I just wanted to thank you for your help! The rash is going away, today it looks great for the first time in two weeks I sure hope it dosent come back!

[chellybeans]

so there are still using steroids and now an antihistamine? *sigh*  i sure hope he gets better. why do you need a referral? usually you can go to the dermatologist without referral. if it is an issue with your insurer i would call to check on the policy.

[marcialeer]

I did a search on images of what you suggested and yes some do resemble what he has. One thing I noticed though is that most of what I saw were raised rashes and his is flat. I brought him back yesterday and they put him on prednisolone and loratadine and it seemed to look better over night, not so red. I'm hoping that it is starting to clear up, but not sure just yet. I wanted to get him to a dermatoligist but they didn't refer me yet. If it don't clear up soon they better!

[chellybeans]

hrm, i think he may need a culture for ringworm. it doesn't always have to appear in the form of a little circle and antibiotics and steroids don't help. actually steroids can inflame and worsen a ringworm if that is the case.

you can look up tinea, dermatophytes or ringworm. the pictures you find online are often worse case scenarios, so don't expect every case to be as severe as the pictures and not all symptoms happen with all conditions, which is why he may not be itchy. ( a blessing if you ask me)

i've seen many many children with ringworm on their face and/or scalp from pets, other kids, or just general exposure. don't worry, it is not an actual worm, just another variation of fungus. the condition is easily treated with topical creams. if it goes to the scalp oral meds may be needed.

if it were an allergic reaction to plant, chemical or insect i would expect some itching and discomfort. i think a second opinion is in order.

[marcialeer]

additional info... He also had a bamboo or lookalike plant  he was looking through and useing it as a blow horn. it will be 2 weeks on Sunday and no changes with the rash.