Rashes

[HyzenthlayLPN]

I am a new school nurse and the district I am working in has no other school nurses and very few written policies (and the ones they have haven't been updated in many years).

I have had a couple cases of mystery rashes on children: one was a PreK child with what looked like contact dermatitis on her wrist. One today was a middle school child with a large red circular rash on the back of a hand and on the same hand a red, scaly rash between some of his fingers (I'm not a doctor but I was concerned it could be ringworm).

What do you more experienced nurses do about "mystery" rashes?

Thank you!

[OldDude]

Back to class

[ohiobobcat]

I sent a kid home once because I suspected scabies (I was right). Most often it's back to class though.

[HyzenthlayLPN]

Thank you for your responses :) The ones I question most are the ones I am called to the school to look at (I am the only nurse and there are 5 schools in the district). When I am called out, I know it is because they (school staff) are concerned that something is contagious.

I have had kids come to see me for bug bites and misc rashes that I sent back to class...The schools here stock calamine lotion too

[Farawyn]

If there is a blistering rash and other symptoms, that's one thing. The rest can be lotioned or covered.

I do call for ringworm.

I also call the Athletic Office for that, because it usually means the kids aren't wiping down the equipment properly.