Rash disease.

[EarthMother]

My 2 young grandsons have had or do have these symtoms and I can't seem to figure it out on the net or by medical advice books.
It starts on the nose with what looks like infant milk bumps.
Step 2. vomitting and diahrea, just about 1/2 to 1 day.
3. A scab from one nostril.
4. Small scrape looking sore(s)that spread but not real fast.
The only itching I have noticed is them picking at the sore nostril. First the 2 yro. Then he seems to have passed it to his 4 yro. brother. I haven't found any of the normal scabing diseases that match these symtoms.

Thanks for any help.

[cinok]

Hello,

This is not cinok, but his wife. He asked me to take a look at your posting to see if I could help any. I am a RN that works in the ER and I am working towards my NP at this time.
You are correct when you say that none of the normal scabbing diseases fits this etiology. However, you could have two separate conditions that are contagious that are passing from one child to the other, which is very common for their age range. They just seem to hit at the same time. I did a little research and asked a few of the doctors about your concerns. I need just a little more information.

in regards to the vomiting
1. any fever associated with the vomiting
2. does it bounce back and forth between the children and/ or adults

In regards to the rash or lesion
1. is there a hair in the center?
2. when it scabs does it become honey colored?
3. is in the nostril or outside of the nostril?
4. does it heal up then come back?
5. if it does heal up and comes back does it appear in the same place?

Basic questions
1. any exposure to new foods or plants
2. any new home remedies for the children
3. are the children exposed to other children outside of the home; such as, daycare, preschool, Sunday school
4. do the children share toys
5. are the toys disinfected with anything

I know that I have asked many questions, but there are many different causes for what you have described. I am trying to narrow them down just a little for you and will run them by my doctor at work if I am unable to come up with anything. As a nurse, I would not substitute my opinion for official medical advice or to replace medical advice, but I can give you some common answers that we would suggest if you presented in the ER with your grandchildren.

[EarthMother]

when it comes to sick children there are never too many questions.

Honestly as the lesions scab over they do a lot like chicken pox. The stuff I read on impetigo said that mupricin to treat. That is what I have been doing. The Dr. that saw the 2 year old thought it could be impetigo. I am a great believer in Dr.s and modern medicine, however we live in a town of less than 2000. Sometimes the Dr.s who come here are just passing thru or are from the bottom of their class. So I have very limited expectations of their skills.

I do appreciate the help you have offered.
there may have been a mild fever with the 2 yro. I don't really remember one but there mother has them 1/2 the day.

No, I haven't seen passing back and forth. It does spread as the boy's mother came home from work vomiting. She has no sores yet. The boys didn't get the lesions for about 3-4 days after the flu like symptoms.

Nothing new in our world. We did bring in some potbellied pigs but that was 4-5 months ago.
These lesions look more lik an infected insect bite.
Yes, they do share toys and no, we don't disinfect, we live in the country. I have 5 kids still at home and she has her 2. Disinfecting ? ;) not very practical with 7 kids inside and out all day long.

Congrats on being an RN (hard job) and your further studys. Thanks for any help. His Mother is off tomorrow and may very well take him (4 yro) to ER up at the Lake of the Ozarks.

[cinok]

Hello,

Honestly from what you have said it does sound like impetigo and a viral infection at the same time. The key to impetigo is the honey colored scab. It does not sound like chicken pox at all. If it is impetigo then you are treating it 100% correct. In fact, if it is any type of infection you have the correct med, including Staph. There was 2 or 3 other options, but you answers ruled it out. One of the reasons that it would occur in the same area is that they are children. Children always grab their mouth and nose and with the nostril being a mucus membrane it is apt to appear there. I would wait a couple of days before taking to the ER, your best option would be a clinic, out of the woods because it would be a heck of a lot cheaper. I hope this helped a little..

Cinok's wife
P.S. I finally got a screen name MelleeRN

[cinok]

P.S.S.
What you would want to watch out for is a hard redden area that expands... This would be an abscess and would need treatment right away..

[EarthMother]

Well, Thank you so very much. As for cost of care daughter has ins. However we first try reg. Dr.
It is hard around here with a very small clinic serving the town of 2000 but also the surrounding rural areas. Again I thank you. God keep you healthy to help the rest of the world.