Red bumps all over DS2?!?!? What are they?

[LosingMyMindInGA]

This morning we did an Easter Egg hunt out in our field, a place where the kids play ALL the time.  This after noon when I went to take DS with me to the grocery store I got him out in the sunlight and noticed he had these red bumps all over his arms, legs, feet and some on his belly.  They don't seem to bother him but have not gone away.   DS said he thinks it's probably redbugs (never heard of them myself) and that Gabe had fallen in the grass while we were out there.  

Any ideas on what they might be?  I was thinkin an allergic reaction and was gonna try giving him benedryl but couldn't find any for children under 4?!? Debating on taking him to the doc tomorrow or just waiting and see if they go away.  What do you think?

[LosingMyMindInGA]

no fever, no respiratory issues, not even a runny nose.

I've used hydrocortisone valerate cream twice (last night and this morning) and he already has half as many as he started with.

[5n1]

could it be roseola?? has he had a fever recently??

That is exactly what my DS chicken pox looked like...My pedi said he had a rare form of them(or rash) cant remember exactly..but his were not itchy or anything, he just mysteriously developed a rash all of the sudden...so maybe it could be that!!!

Just an idea...hows he doing today?

[Michele, Katy, TX]

That's good.  I'm glad it's going away.  My kids are pretty sensitive to bug bites so I always have Benadryl on hand.  Keep in mind that most pharmacies have their own version of Benadryl and it is much cheaper than the name brand Benadryl.  It's a must have at our house though.  LOL!  Especially at this time of year.  I will give it at pretty much any age but in much smaller amounts if they are not technically old enough to have it.  Hope it clears up soon!

[NicMom]

My daughter had something like that at 15 months. Your dr can write a script for a topical cream that's a lower strength than the over the counter benadryl and safer for little ones. I also used the Aveeno oatmeal bath packets twice a day and Eucerin lotion to help it clear up. Good luck.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Thanks Michele. I thought about it, but we rarely use benadryl so I didn't wanna buy it for one or two doses.  I went with Hydrocortisone Valerate cream.  It's a prescription version that I have for Abby's eczema.  I put some on last night and again this morning and he has half as many bumps as he did yesterday.  So I'm just gonna continue that twice a day until it's gone.  Seems to be working!   They aren't itching him, but knowing that hydrocortisone is a topical steroid that helps with many skin conditions I figured it was worth a shot at helping them to go away.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

GA, it's true that Benadryl isn't for children as young as him, but my 19 month old had a reaction to something recently.  I didn't know what the heck it was and I gave her like 2ml of Benadryl.  The doctor said I did what I should have done.  It took care of it.  I'd give him just a little bit.  If you feel better, try the Benadryl cream or maybe Hydrocortisone cream, but the Benadryl will probably work pretty quick.  Probably would only take one dose and you could use the Hydrocortisone cream to immediately relieve any itching.  You can use those together I believe but you can't use the Benadryl cream with the oral Benadryl...not at the same time anyway. Good luck!

[emmiemac]

i had a similar rash the other day. I was sunbathing outside on the grass and all the bits of me which were exposed and touching the grass especially my tummy ended up in all those bumps. They actually got worse when i showered but later the next day they started to fade then dissapered. Maybe it could be just a simple aggravition caused by grass?

[jtaylor102481]

My son had the same thing happen I ended up taking him to the dr ans turned out to be a virus.  If they aren't bothering him I would just keep an eye on him if they don't away a few days then take him to the Dr

[LosingMyMindInGA]

thanks!  If it doesn't seem to be bothering him I don't need to use the creams do I?  Aren't they just for relief of the itching, etc?  I haven't put anything on them as of yet becuase he hasn't indicated that they bother him at all.  I'm just gonna wait a few days and see what happens.  There's no fever, no breathing issues, nothing else that you might think of if it were illness/allergy related.

[medicmommy]

His reaction is a contact dermatitis reaction -not allergic, -so all the benedryl will do is make him sleepy as it is an antihistamine, not an anti-inflammatory. Calamine lotion, epsom salt wash, or cortisone cream (or just time) would work the best. ~MM

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Grass hadn't been mowed in a few days. We were only out a few minutes and for him to have gotten that many bites we would have noticed the fleas, besides he didn't make any indications that something was biting him.

[Ilovemyboogas]

It might be flea bites did u mow befor hand It sound like flea bites my kids got them after playing in a feild

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I gave him a good bath last night.  He woke up this morning and they are still there, no better, no worse.  They don't appear to be bothering him at all, he's not fussy or messing with them.  

He hasn't had anything new to eat.  Haven't changed detergents or soaps or anything.  But if it were a reaction to something like that I would expect it to be all over.  The areas that were covered by his clothes aren't botheres, except a small amount on his tummy where his shirt probably came up.  

I think I'll try again to find some benadryl...never thought about the cream.  See if that does anything, if not take him in.  

[medicmommy]

If it is only on areas that his clothing did not cover, then it is probably a reaction to the grass or something he was rolling around in. I don't know if Georgia has chiggers (maybe that's what redbugs are?) but if so, they leave little bites like that (but they also itch like a bugger!) If you haven't, I would suggest giving him a good wash with soap and water and if they begin to itch, get benedryl cream. Even a .5% strength cortisone cream would do. More than likely, this will be gone in the morning.~MM

[bbxx]

I think chigger bites are intensely itchy, so if hes not itchy, its probably not that.

[NicoleW09]

Look like a reaction to poison (ivy, oak, or sumac) to me. DH got it back in my Papaw's farm last summer an it looked just like that. The spots got bigger as he scratched and filled with puss. Or it could be something like impetigo or as simple as an allergy to a detergent. I would take him to the ped tomorrow just in case, especially if it itches.

[darcy92681]

Ok... I have a few questions. Did you just cut the grass where the Easter egg hunt was? Did he have anything new to eat? And has he had the CP?