Pic: Sudden red swelling on hands - help id??

[Judegirl]

Does Fifths Disease involve the hands? I just came home to find dd awake, miserable, with the reddest face and nose I've ever seen. Her hands are swollen and red too, in the same spot on the back of them. This is after several days of that pimply rash which is still itching her a little after all) and a slight fever.

She's in a good mood now, but she's out of her room and being read to on Daddy's lap. I got too scared when I saw her to worry about it.

I'm posting a pic - hope you can see it - her fingers are red and swollen and there's a strip on both hands that's also red and swollen. Any ideas????

Thanks,
Jude



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[ribbit1019]

I have no idea, but that is so scary. I hope you can find someone to help. Feel better vibes to Rory!

Christy
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[almostamom]

Jude,
I don't know for sure if Fifths involves the hands or not. When it went around our elem. school, the nurse described the rash as looking like lace and I only ever saw it on kids' arms. DS woke up with a rash on Sunday and has had a slight fever and runny nose all week. We took him to the dr. and she said it's a virus and to just keep him comfortable. You might want to give the dr. a call to ease your mind/make an appt.

Sorry I wasn't more help,
~Linda~
DS 11/04

[kath68]

maybe hives? Not to freak you out, but hands and feet swelling is a sign of anaphylaxis (allergic reaction), esp. to food. I just went through this myself (and still have no idea what triggered it). My hands and feet and face swelled terribly, but I had big blotchy hives, not pimply. I didn't have a fever. Does she have any allergies that you are aware of/ do allergies run in her family? Is her face swollen, esp. around the lips? Does she have an upset tummy?

I would talk to her ped. about it. Is there an after hours number you can call? It's probably nothing, but if it is an allergic reaction, you will want to know sooner rather than later.

ETA: the rash usually shows up within two hours of eating the offending food, and the swelling progresses from there.

[trumansmom]

Jude-

How scary! I would call your ped. It sounds like your gut is telling you something's not right, and I'm a firm believer in trusting that mommy instinct.

Keep us posted.

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04
Independent Consultant, Do-Re-Me & You!

[Judegirl]

Yes, I'm waiting for a return call...just freaking out in the meantime!

[wagner36]

So did your hives eventually go away? I've been meaning to ask you!

No advice here Jude, but if it is warm to the touch, it could be angioedema (the swelling that Kathy mentioned).

[stella]

We had this happen and it was an allergic reaction to an insect bite. The ped said that it peaks 48-72 hours after the bite and to treat with benadryl. His little wrist was so hot, red, and swollen, and as usual, it wasn't a big deal..

I know it's not a child, but it also happened to my dog - a golden retrievr - her ears swelled up and were as hard as rocks. The vet recommended benadryl again.

I hope it's something like that...let us know what you learn.

[kath68]

Thanks for asking -- I've had two bouts of hives in the past two months or so. I posted after the first episode, and the hives went away after about 5 days. The second bout was much more severe than the first, and ended up with me getting an epi shot and almost being admitted to the er (if it weren't for the fact that I had already gone to an allergist after the 1st episode and they were willing to dedicate a room, nurse and doctor to me for an entire afternoon, I would have been there). This time my feet, hands and face swelled, and I was throwing up. That was what really got the allergist riled up.

The hives lasted almost a week this time, even with being on prednisone and benadryl. I guess that is pretty unusual. I am supposed to go in for another round of testing next Wednesday, but the first round of testing came up with no food allergies. I learned I was allergic to dust mites and grass, though -- tell me something I don't know! They are pretty convinced that the hives are caused by a food allergy (or maybe some kind of self-triggering anaphylaxis), esp. since this time I can pinpoint the start of my hives as coinciding with a banquet I attended. I have a list of ingredients from the dinner, so let the testing commence! My pet theory is that I have developed an allergy to honey. We shall see!

Sorry to hijack, Jude, and if my experience has any relevance to you it should be that anaphylaxis is serious, but totally manageable (and *really* uncomfortable). It took me 18 hours to get myself to an allergist, and while I should have gotten treated sooner, I am fine. I am *not* suggesting you wait to call your doctor, but just that you don't have to panic if it is an allergy thing.

[mudder17]

I just caught this thread and am hoping Rory is doing better and they were able to pinpoint the problem! How scary for you! I'll be thinking about you and Rory today!



Eileen

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[Judegirl]

Thanks, Eileen. Nope, the doctor had no idea what it could be - she said it didn't sound like an allergy (both hands in the same place) and to "watch it" overnight and call if it's worse in the morning.

I had given her some Benadryl in case it was an allergic reaction, and this morning there's a little bit of puffiness but the redness is gone.

We remembered after we got her to bed that late yesterday she had fallen down while running outseide; dh hadn't caught up with her yet. She got up, dusted off her hands, and kept running, so he didn't worry, despite the factthat it looked like a decent spill. She'd scraped her nose pretty badly, so we're thinking maybe she sort of jammed her hands when she caught herself, and that might cause swelling and redness in her hands and fingers. She has super-sensitive skin. Otherwise, it might be viral, I suppose.

So we have no idea and I'm trying to live with it. :)

Thanks, everyone!

Jude

[mudder17]

Thanks for the update. I hope she recovers fully and that it really just was a case of jammed hands. Boy, if it's not one thing, it's another, isn't?


Eileen

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[trumansmom]

I'm glad it's nothing serious. I was thinking about her this morning, but this was the first chance I've had to get on the computer today.

Too busy getting magic marker off of hands, faces, clothing, walls, furniture, etc. x(

Jeanne
Mom to Truman 11/01 and Eleanor 4/04
Independent Consultant, Do-Re-Me & You!