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Children's health

Advice needed - Chicken pox or Impetigo or both?

26 replies

KellyElly · 16/07/2014 16:18

Just a question as I'm questioning the diagnosis my DD received today.

Basically about 5 days ago she got a spot on her arm (underside of top of arm) which then became a sore and looked a bit like impetigo (she does they this a few times a year), then on Monday morning when she woke up she had about ten small spots on her side and the underside of her arm. These had become crusted over by this morning and there looks to be another tiny one on her tummy.

Had a docs appt today (her dad took her) where I was expecting a diagnosis of chickenpox. They diagnosed impetigo on the premise that chickenpox would have spread all over the body and there would be more spots. It says on the NHS website that some children only get a few spots, so what the doctor said there was surely incorrect.

Also, if it was impetigo, surely because it is so sore and spreading she should have been prescribed the oral antibiotic as the cream is usually only prescribed alone for a small area?

My worry is also, if it is chickenpox should I even be rubbing the anti fungal cream on chickenpox sores?

Some advice would be really appreciated. I can take a pic and post later when I'm at home if that would help.

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 17:55

Bump

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 17:56

Here is a pic.

Advice needed - Chicken pox or Impetigo or both?
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Sparklingbrook · 16/07/2014 18:01

Hi Kelly not a GP.Just posting to say the large spot on your DDs arm looks just like the spot DS had when he had Impetigo. He was given oral medicine and topical cream.

Hope someone more knowledgeable appears soon. x

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 18:04

That's what I thought about the big spot but the others look like chicken pox. Could it be possible to have both at the same time maybe?

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hellymelly · 16/07/2014 18:11

Your poor dd. Agree the larger patch looks like impetigo, but the myrid smaller ones maybe not. Yes she could have both things going on. . With chicken pox spots initially they come in waves, increasing incrementally, so if they are increasing, then chicken pox seems likely. Also with chicken pox she would be feeling a bit rough.

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hellymelly · 16/07/2014 18:12

Myriad, not myrid (typing too fast)

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 18:25

She seems fine, no fever etc. Today a few spots have come on her tummy and one on her leg.

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 19:22

Bumping for any GP's about this evening.

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Sparklingbrook · 16/07/2014 19:40

Would it be worth asking to change the thread title?

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 19:43

I'm on the app so not sure how to do that?

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Sparklingbrook · 16/07/2014 19:45

Can you report your own post and ask MN to change it? I am on old fashioned laptop.

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 20:12

Done!

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Tinted · 16/07/2014 20:41

You do need a qualified medic to diagnose that.

"Had a docs appt today (her dad took her)"

Please think before taking a child with suspected chicken pox into any public area including a Dr's waiting-room, if it is CP and the child is infectious other kids, pregnant ladies and old people as well as adults who never got it as kids who are sat in the waiting-room could be at risk of CP or shingles. Ask for a home visit?

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PetiteBateau · 16/07/2014 20:53

Our GP practice do not offer home visits

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 21:02

Neither do mine.

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Clobbered · 16/07/2014 21:07

If it is chickenpox, rubbing a bit of anti-bacterial cream on the spots will do no harm. Spots appearing in crops is typical of chicken-pox and a lot of children don't feel at all unwell. Could well be that the first chickenpox spot has got a bit infected, in which case the treatment she has been prescribed is perfectly appropriate. I'd wait and see and phone the surgery for advice tomorrow if anything new happens.

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KellyElly · 16/07/2014 21:13

Thanks Clobbered.

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YetAnotherHelenMumsnet · 16/07/2014 21:17

Hi KellyElly,
as per your request, we have changed the title of your thread, and also moved it to a better forum for the topic. Hope your dd feels better soon.

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KellyElly · 17/07/2014 10:46

Thanks :)

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Sparklingbrook · 17/07/2014 13:01

Quick bump for you Kelly. How's it looking today?

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KellyElly · 17/07/2014 13:24

Thanks Sparklingbrook :) The cream has definitely helped the big sore impetigo looking thing on her arm. It seems to have dried up the other spots a bit. She has had four more spots come - one on her face, two on tummy and one on leg - so it's possible she's got impetigo and chicken pox poor thing. She is still fine in herself and very lively! Think she's wondering what I'm making all the fuss about Grin

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Sparklingbrook · 17/07/2014 13:27

That sounds better. DS1's Impetigo looked like someone had stubbed out a cigarette on his arm. Sad
If more spots are coming it could well be CP then.

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KellyElly · 17/07/2014 13:45

She had the big sore five days before the other spots so it's possible they are unconnected. Impetigo looks awful doesn't it? She had it on her back once and it looked like a really bad burn.

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Hollybail24 · 16/09/2019 23:57

My daughter has the same thing.

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Rubytot · 11/09/2023 18:06

Reading this years later. But just to say that my 3 month old baby has the exact thing going on onky they diagnosed as chicken pox and not impetigo. Worried that the if its impetigo its not being treated. 😔

Advice needed - Chicken pox or Impetigo or both?
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