All Rashy

Bird has always had sensitive skin - like his Momma. In the winter it's dry, and in the summer it gets red in the sun. His face especially tends to break out from the combination of sunscreen, sun, wind, and water. Poor guy.

But this weekend when he got red cheeks, I was puzzled. He hadn't really been out in the sun or had sunscreen put on his face. As the days went by, the rash got worse and eventually spread to his arms, where it was red and lacy. Here are some pics:

 

The diagnosis? Fifths Disease. As the doctor explained, "Fifth disease, which is especially common in kids, usually produces a distinctive red rash on the face that makes a child appear to have a "slapped cheek." The rash then spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs. It's a viral infection that can take one to three weeks to run its course. The child is contagious before the rash appears."

It looks bad, but Bird doesn't even know it's there. The rash doesn't seem to itch or hurt, which I'm thankful for. And now ya know. If you see my boy around town this week, I promise he hasn't been slapped around!