March 12, 2008 | parenthood
Well, what a day.
The Fecklet, in addition to teething, has developed spots all over his torso. The doctor ruled out chicken pox, and anything more serious, and pronounced it “a virus”. He’s been alternatively happy and active, and miserable and wailing, all day. Thank goodness for two medicines: St. Calpol, and the children’s television/heroin that is In the Night Garden.
The Fecklet is obsessed with Makka Pakka (pictured left, for those of you with no children between the ages of 0-5). In fact he said “Ma” to mean Makka Pakka far before he said “Ma” to mean Mummy. I’m not offended by this, because Makka Pakka is, in fact, the epitome of cool. He is some sort of OCD-ridden genius who sleeps with a rock and my kid can talk about him as much as he likes.
Anyway, also thank goodness I made meatballs last night so all I’ve had to do today is boil up some pasta. I’m off to tuck into those now.
Jessica Raymond says:
Hugs for Fecklet (and for you) — hope he feels better soon. Don’t you hate it when the doctors are just vague and don’t give you enough detail?
Little Frog hasn’t started watching ITNG yet, but he does like Roary the Racing Car on Five (Sunday mornings). Oh, and Hollyoaks.
Kate Hardy says:
Hugs, Julie.
There are so many illnesses with a rash that doctors do tend to be vague. With chickenpox, you can literally see the spots appearing - I can remember that with mine! (You might also have a mega-grumpy child, the day before the spots appear.)
If the rash is itchy, Eurax lotion works better than calamine as the effect lasts for longer. (There might have been a better one developed in the last 3 years so it’s worth talking to your pharmacist - mine recommended Eurax to me… blimey, it’s 3 years since my littlest had chickenpox. Scary how fast time goes.)
Kate Walker says:
Hugs to the spotty Fecklet and to you for having him spotty and grumpy. (Sounds like a new version of the 7 dwarves - Spotty, Grumpy, Waily . . .)
Have enjoyed (?) the important ritual of watching In the Nighr Garden when you visited, I of course recognised Makka Pakka as soon I came to your blog. I still think he reminds me of the Babe Magnet
It’s that OCD genius bit - no hang on though, that means that if he sleeps with a rock . . .
T’Other Kate
Donna Alward says:
LOL at Kate….
Did the dr mention Roseola? My eldest (who turns 10 today, my goodness where does the time go) had it when she was a baby.
Hugs. And pasta and meatballs. YUM.
Marcy says:
Hi Julie,
I took my DD to the doctor for spots on the torso in Januarey and was told that since it was preceded by a fever it was likely one of 2 things: Roseola (common in little ones) or Scarlet Fever (a derivitive of Strep throat which ended up being the culprit with DD). With scarlet fever the bumps are raised but with Roseola they’re flat. FWIW.
It sucks when they can’t tell you what’s wrong. Hope Fecklet is feeling better soon.
Kris Starr says:
Unfortunately, Jules, sometimes they just get these weird, inexplicable rashes that go away on their own. I know — the Offspring one all over her tummy. Looked measel-ish, but wasn’t. Neither regular family doctor nor Pediatrician had any real explanation. And then it was gone, never to return again.
Ellen says:
Hugs to Fecklet and to you. My sister in law was told “some kids have rashes and some don’t”. Needless to say she was not happy with the doctor.
Fran says:
i’m the only one in my house who enjoys ITNG, i find it very soothing! my youngest ill, temp, now cough…we have Slapped Cheek going around here, and Hand, Foot Mouth. i think they making the names up..
hope your boy better soon…
amanda ashby says:
Hooray for calpol and tv - I’m also a big fan of both of these things. Hope he’s feeling better soon though because it’s horrible when they’re sick (even makes you start pining for the days when they go back to being loud, naughty and exhausting!)
Kris WW says:
My smallest girl loves ITNG. And don’t you think Makka Pakka was developed just for breast-fed babies? Just turn him sideways and look at his rear end…
Hugs to Fecklet and hope the spots vanish as quickly and mysteriously as they came.
Julie says:
Fecklet is much better, though the rash is still there. Thanks for sympathy, all.
Jess, in this case I was good with “it’s a virus”–I just wanted to know it wasn’t meningitis or chicken pox! What a sophisticated little boy you’ve got, watching Hollyoaks.
Kate H, now I will sit and stare at the spots next time I see a rash coming, to see if I can watch them appear!
Kate W, you forgot Stinky.
The BM can be like Makka Pakka all he wants, as both of them are extremely cool.
Donna, happy birthday to your dd! Marcy, I thought roseola, but his fever was pretty low. Who knows!
Kris S and Ellen, my doctor said the same thing. “He’s prone to rashes and hives, I’m afraid.” As I am, too, I guess I should have expected it.
Fran, I hope your bunch are much better soon! At least they have diseases with exotic names…
Thanks, Amanda. Yes I was definitely pining for some naughtiness!
Kris WW, you are totally right about Makka Pakka’s shape. Though the fact that it is his butt is a little bit disturbing. Fecklet has started saying “Ma” when he pretends to wash my face, too, so I am sort of hoping this will get him more cheerful about the whole face-washing experience.
Ray-Anne says:
There is clearly another world out there which I am not part of…some type of parallel universe. But rash is horrible, so hope he gets better soon.