Author Topic: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????  (Read 6289 times)

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Offline vickyd

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face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« on: July 28, 2008, 20:20:57 pm »
My 5 month old has got a rash covering his upper body and armpits and inside elbows - nothing at all on the lower half of his body though. I thought it was a heat rash as the weather has been really hot. After his 4am feed I noticed that his face had broken out all around his mouth. He is breast fed. I have been weaning him for the last month and stick to the same few foods and I haven't introduced anything new for a week. I haven't used any kind of body cream on myself and haven't changed washing powder or anything. Could it be a food allergy? I haven't eaten anything I don't usually that would have affected his milk. The body rash has started to fade but inside his elbows and under his chin and neck and around his mouth are really red. He isn't itching either. Can someone shed any light? This is my first baby!!
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline emmas

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2008, 20:31:30 pm »
It does sound like heat rash - its where they sweat the most, upper body and creases - ds gets it alot in the heat, and it appears on his chin - although he gest the same rash round his mouth when he is teething.

I would keep an eye on it - hopefully it will go down tonight.

Make sure you do the tumbler test just to be sure and any other symptoms get him checkde without delay.


Offline hayleysmum

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2008, 20:33:53 pm »
sounds like heat rash to me.  are they very small and red dots?  if he's drooling and constantly a bit wet around the chin, neck and mouth it will take a bit longer to clear up.  my LO also has heat rash at the moment and the only thing you can do is keep their skin as dry as possible - you may need to change his top a bit more frequently throughout the day and try and keep the clothing loosefitting.  if the hot weather continues it can take a bit longer to clear up.

food allergy would appear very quickly and you'd also likely see a change in his poop.
Mum to Hayley 29 Nov 05 and Philippa 14 Jan 08

Offline vickyd

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2008, 20:42:15 pm »
He is teething and drooling a lot which could be making it worse. I've been using a barrier cream to see if it helps. I've got a doctors appointment on wednesday because I didn't know what it was. He was having quite well formed mess in his nappy but today it has been very watery. Is it teething related and heat rash do you think?
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline Mydreamcametrue

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2008, 01:36:25 am »
Hi there:

If you had not said that there was NOTHING at all new in your or his diet, then I would have deft. thought food allergy with out a doubt.

But, since nothing has changed there, I think taking him to the doctor is the right thing to do. 

There are so many virus's that can cause a rash and also upset tummy. 

How old is your baby?  Did you ask the doctor about giving a very small dose of children's benadryl (not sure if you have that available where you are)?

Please keep us posted about your appoitment on Weds.

Wendy
Wendy -

Zach - 3 1/2 yrs old. My sweet, loving, gentle boy that loves playing in the dirt!

Tyler - 17 months.  My very very spirited little boy.  Can't turn your back for a minute.  He is doing the cutest things now!  Loves to eat and climb!

Offline vickyd

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2008, 08:43:55 am »
His rash on his face does seem a bit paler today but it is raining so isn't so hot. His body has cleared up a good bit except for the very top of his chest near his throat and chin but it is also paler in colour there. I tried the pharmacist to see if he could help but he said he couldn't prescribe anything as Michael is only 5 months old. I think it may be due to heat after all. I think the drooling is making his face worse and he has just started using a lidded cup for drinking water so maybe I haven't been quick enough in taking his bib off or changing his top after him spilling and spitting it out. Thanks for all your help. I will let you know the outcome from the doctor tomorrow though.
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline vickyd

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2008, 10:58:08 am »
Just to let you know the doctor wasn't sure if Michael has heat rash or if he might have had a viral infection. She gave me steroid cream to see if that helps so here's hoping!
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline Mydreamcametrue

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2008, 19:17:33 pm »
That is what I was thinking.  So many infections can cause rash's.  Did they do any bloodwork?


Wendy -

Zach - 3 1/2 yrs old. My sweet, loving, gentle boy that loves playing in the dirt!

Tyler - 17 months.  My very very spirited little boy.  Can't turn your back for a minute.  He is doing the cutest things now!  Loves to eat and climb!

Offline vickyd

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2008, 20:16:12 pm »
No, I have to take him back in a week if it doesn't get any better. I don't think it is. The cream is making his skin peel. His chest doesn't seem so bad but his face and neck are bright red. I've went back to feeding him just baby rice, apples and carrots just in case it is a food allergy but he isn't itching or grumpy, it doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. It looks sore though. I don't think it's being caused by the teething. Although he hasn't cut any teeth yet, when the teething started last month the only physical symptom he has was flushed cheeks, not raised dry red patches. It looks almost like psoriasis if you can imagine on his face and shoulders. His neck is not dry like his face and shoulders, it is just red and his torso was covered in little red dots.
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline Mydreamcametrue

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2008, 23:40:06 pm »
Gosh..  I hope it gets better. Give us an update on how he is doing.

Sounds like a viral infection or deft. a food allergy.  My son had a really bad allergy to amoxillion and he was not grumpy with it either.

Wendy
Wendy -

Zach - 3 1/2 yrs old. My sweet, loving, gentle boy that loves playing in the dirt!

Tyler - 17 months.  My very very spirited little boy.  Can't turn your back for a minute.  He is doing the cutest things now!  Loves to eat and climb!

Offline vickyd

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2008, 16:18:50 pm »
Been looking on the internet and think what Michael has could possibly be fifth disease. His cheeks look like they've had a good slapping and the rash on his arms and torso seems to fit the bill. I don't think there's anything that can make him better other than waiting it out. I've got another doctors appointment for him on wednesday so I'll mention it to her. It's not common for children under 5 apparently but it's not unknown for younger  kids to get it. I read that it can take 3 weeks for the rash to disappear so that's 2 weeks on this thursday that it appeared sp hopefully if i'm right it will be gone soon. Fingers crossed!!!
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline Mydreamcametrue

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2008, 23:35:49 pm »
Oh yeah deft. good be that.  I thought there was an antibiotic for that.

Deft, mention it to the doctor.

Wendy
Wendy -

Zach - 3 1/2 yrs old. My sweet, loving, gentle boy that loves playing in the dirt!

Tyler - 17 months.  My very very spirited little boy.  Can't turn your back for a minute.  He is doing the cutest things now!  Loves to eat and climb!

Offline vickyd

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #12 on: August 06, 2008, 11:36:27 am »
Had another doctors appointment yesterday with a different doctor and he's given us antibiotics to try so hopefully we will now see some improvement.
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline Mydreamcametrue

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #13 on: August 06, 2008, 18:30:44 pm »
Great.  Did the doctor say what he thought it could be?

Wendy
Wendy -

Zach - 3 1/2 yrs old. My sweet, loving, gentle boy that loves playing in the dirt!

Tyler - 17 months.  My very very spirited little boy.  Can't turn your back for a minute.  He is doing the cutest things now!  Loves to eat and climb!

Offline vickyd

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #14 on: August 06, 2008, 19:45:37 pm »
The first doctor said heat rash or an unspecified viral infection and the 2nd doctor said infantile eczema which should be outgrown in a couple of years! I think I might even go for a 3rd opinion to a specialist! I feel that the cream I got from the first doctor isn't working and I don't really want to give the baby antibiotics unnecessarily if the problem hasn't been properly diagnosed. Maybe it's mothers instinct!
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline Mydreamcametrue

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #15 on: August 06, 2008, 20:26:14 pm »
Totally agree.  I would not want to do the antibitiocs either unless needed for sure.  They can really mess your digestive system up.


Wendy -

Zach - 3 1/2 yrs old. My sweet, loving, gentle boy that loves playing in the dirt!

Tyler - 17 months.  My very very spirited little boy.  Can't turn your back for a minute.  He is doing the cutest things now!  Loves to eat and climb!

Offline hayleysmum

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #16 on: August 07, 2008, 13:00:41 pm »
I'd be very reluctant to give the antibiotics.  They are very over prescribed these days and then when our LOs truly need them, their bodies have already built up resistance to the drugs and have no effect.

Our GP is quite laid back and his general attitude with most things is to give everything 1-2 weeks to improve on it's own before attempting to treat it with drugs of any nature.  Especially if your LO seems well in himself otherwise, I'd be inclined to do the same.  I'm also surprised that he was prescribed steroid cream for his face - that's the one area that is usually avoided because the skin is particularly thin...

How's he doing?
Mum to Hayley 29 Nov 05 and Philippa 14 Jan 08

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #17 on: August 11, 2008, 08:53:03 am »
I did a bit more research on the internet as I really didn't want to give him the anti-biotics if I didn't have to. It said that for heat rash to avoid smothering babys in cream (which both doctors advised me to do!) as the sweat glands are not properly developed and cream will just block them more. It said to try calamine lotion instead so I did and his face has nearly totally cleared up! It is now nearly 3 weeks since the red face started so I wonder if it has been fifth disease after all because it said it would take around 3 weeks to clear itself. So much for doctors!! I'm glad I trusted my instincts now!
Mummy to Michael and the twins, Emmy and Jack xxx

Offline Mydreamcametrue

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Re: face rash - food allergy or heat rash????
« Reply #18 on: August 12, 2008, 00:49:49 am »
Good for you.  Sounds more like fifth disease to me.  I just don't think a heat rash would stay around that long.

I am happy it is getting better though.

Wendy
Wendy -

Zach - 3 1/2 yrs old. My sweet, loving, gentle boy that loves playing in the dirt!

Tyler - 17 months.  My very very spirited little boy.  Can't turn your back for a minute.  He is doing the cutest things now!  Loves to eat and climb!