These symptoms are taken directly from an informational communication from the health dept. in my state. There is an epidemic at one of the elementary schools in my small community.I wondered what a homeopathic response would be. Please provide your opinion. My thanks for your assistance. -K

"Characteristics of the rashes vary, but onset has generally been acute, typically with maculopapular erythematous lesions---possibly in a reticulated pattern---on the face, neck, hands, or arms; duration of the rash varied but in most reports it was highly pruritic. The rashes were not attributed to a defined environmental exposure or infectious agent. Children with rashes were afebrile and usually had no other associated signs or symptoms. The rashes lasted from a few hours to 2 weeks and appeared to be self-limiting

Approximately 40 serum samples collected in four states have been PCR or IgM negative for parvovirus B19 (1); 22 nasal swab samples have been negative for enterovirus. Environmental assessments have not identified environmental causes.

The rash most often began on the face, then spread to the upper extremities; most rashes occurred on exposed skin. Clinical signs---including reddish welt-type itchy rash on face and upper extremities, swollen eyes, and smooth pink cheeks---degrees of coloration, and prominence of rash varied among the children

All specimens tested negative for the presence of IgM antibodies. Laboratory data analysis, interviews, a building survey, and examination of the children did not identify a cause for the rashes.". Thanks for reading!

[ 16 March 2002, 01:13: Message edited by: karenss ]

Could this come from antibiotics in the milk?

Good question, except that the kids who got the rash didn't have school lunch/milk any more that the rest. It wasn't school diet related. Outside of school,who knows. Thanks, K

Some more info aabout this epidemic

CDC investigating unidentified rash affecting children in 14 states
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today said 14 states have
reported investigations of multiple schoolchildren who have developed
unidentifiable rashes. The CDC said it is expected that rashes from a wide
range of causes will be observed among schoolchildren. Nevertheless, the
recent cases have prompted the agency to work with state and local health
officials to determine if there is a common link. The agency said rashes
caused by infectious agents usually are preceded or accompanied by symptoms
such as headache or fever, but in these reports, none of the children showed
signs of systemic illness and the rash appeared to be self-limiting. CDC
said it has distributed to health departments a document with suggested
approaches for investigating reports of rashes. It also asks health-care
providers who have examined affected children to share their clinical
observations with the CDC. For more, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr.

__________________
Man, do not pride yourself on your superiority to animals. For they are without sin and you in your greatness defile the earth by your appearance on it and leave traces of you foulness after you. Dostoyevsky

The rash sounds like Apis to me, with the swelling and red face and welt-like appearance and itching.

Snoopy

On the basis of this info, i think Rhus tox is most likely, but... since the medical authorities are not skilled in taking a homooepathic case, the best thing would be to take a few cases to find the epidemic remedy and its satellites. See if the children's behaviour and mood is altered and any concomitant physicals and modalities of the itching etc.

Right, like Apis would definitely be worse for hot applications to the rash and would prefer cold applications, whereas Rhus tox would be better from heat, hot baths, warm applications, etc., so that would be a good differentiating point.

Snoopy

The main characteristic, as presented, is that the rash comes on uncovered parts. Everything else is rather general.

Thanks for all your interest. Unfortunately, the symptom info. is limited to what has been observed, not treatments that may have helped. The medical diagnosis have included:

"Diagnoses by clinicians who have examined children have included viral exanthem, contact or atopic dermatitis, eczema, chemical exposure, impetigo, and poison ivy. "

At least if my kids come up with it, I'll have a direction to take. My thanks. -K