My 19-month-old had a low fever on Monday and Tuesday. Then yesterday, she woke up with tons of tiny red bumps all around her mouth and diaper area. There are even a few of these red bumps on her legs and hands. We're going to the pediatrician in just a bit, but I'm really curious if this could be hand, foot, and mouth disease. Everything I've read about HFMD says that kids usually get blisters in their mouth and on their hands and feet. But I can't see any in my daughter's mouth--just all around. She had a rough time sleeping last night and has been kind of irritable, which I guess suggests that these bumps are uncomfortable. (They sure look like they would be!) Anyhow, have any of your kids had HFMD, and if so, was it similar? Thanks!
justanothamotha2012-05-24T06:26:21Z
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Sounds like Roseola to me. Here are pics of that: https://www.google.com/search?q=roseola&hl=en&client=ubuntu&hs=JOE&channel=fs&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=TDS-T8nlE6ed6AGYwpxV&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CFcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=812
It wouldn't be measles as that is actually a respiratory illness that includes a rash - people seem to forget that. If it were measles she would have cold type symptoms along with a rash, especially a cough.
Rubella has a fever of 102 or lower, headache & nose (stuffy OR runny), red eyes, etc before ht rash & the rash in that case does start on the face but moves down the body (neck, then trunk, then limbs) - so again NOT the right symptoms.
With Chicken Pox you'd be seeing fluid filled blisters & you aren't describing that either. Also CP typically shows up in the warmest areas of the body first - so armpits, lower back, etc - NOT face & legs & hands.
There are a lot of "non specific viruses" that little ones can catch too that have no treatment & require none & lots of them cause rashes. It could be a lot of things, but I'll fall over if it's measles, rubella or CP. Roseola is very common though, as in they expect all children will have one version or another by age 5 & usually before two. What the symptoms look like depends on the child - there are the "common" ones & then there are parents that never notice their child was ill - so that one has more variation. My other thought without being able to see the rash would be Fifth Disease - if her cheeks are really red it is likely that - they call it "Slapped Cheek Disease" too - as it looks like a child's face has been slapped it's so red. That is another super common childhood illness that generally would require no specific treatment.
And you are right - HF&M should have sores in the mouth & the bottoms of feet & palms of hands. I doubt that she has that since she is rashing elsewhere.