Hives? - Overland Park, KS

My 18 month old son started getting hives about 3 months ago. It started on his face (big,huge welps!) and then he started getting smaller ones all over his body. I started tracking what he ate (I couldn't figure anything out), then I switched dishwasher detergent because he seemed to always get them after eating (that didn't help), I started washing his highchair with only water and gentle soap thinking it was the cleaners I used, then I switched back to baby laundry detergent and rewashed everything of his. In the end, nothing worked. He's had some problems with milk in the past, but never as an ingredient cooked in things (its in everything), so we ended up going entirely dairy free and luckily his hives seem to be doing much better now. Our doctor told us that we may never know what was causing them, but to keep trying to deduct different things (cleaners, foods, etc) and hope that I saw a difference in something. It was not fun, lol, but luckily we have it figured out now. Give him Benadryl, it really helps the itch. I also washed my son in oatmeal baths or baking soda baths to soothe the skin, that seemed to help him too. I would definitely rewash his clothes, even if you have to rewash everything of his! Good luck, and I hope you figure it out soon!

Has your son been on any antibiotics, amoxicillian or penicillian? I was asking because my brothers son was on them and on day 5 of being on it,he broke out in major hives sounds like what you are describing on your little boy. If not has he eaten anything new in the past few days? Get any new animals?

Just throwing stuff out there.

Did your doctor prescribe Benadryl for your son? That's what my daughter takes when she gets hives. Like your son, her's are severe...once bad enough that we took her to the emergency room because we were afraid of anaphylaxis. Keep in mind that cleaning product residue, hand lotion or anything that might be on your hands could cause him hives while you're dressing him or changing a diaper or pull-up. Our daughter used to be able to eat pears, but suddenly started having a reaction and it took us awhile to figure it out. That's what sent her to the emergency room. I get hives if our dog is even slightly damp and I touch him. I also get hives really bad if I touch the carpet with my bare skin (my dermatologist said it's probably something in the actual fiber because we've had it steam rinsed to remove any residue).

So hives can be caused by things you wouldn't even think of and things that previosly weren't an issue. You might keep a diary of things he eats and things you have changed, now that you know he is allergic to something. It will help you narrow down the possible causes. I'd put the color sheets at the top of the list and rewash all his clothes to make sure there's no trace of what might be in them. Good luck!

Hey A.

A good way to tell if it is an allergy or an allergic reaction is to give him a little Bennadryl, or put some Bennadryl cream on a small area (to see if it helps before you put it all over him.) Of course I would ask you ped or someone at the pharmacy as to how much or if it a good idea. But if he is itchy or uncomfortable this should help it if is an allergy. Some times it does take a dose or two to clear it up. If it does not clear it up it may not be an alergic reaction. If he has not seen the dr., he may need to in order to rule out anyrhing else.

Good Luck

T.

That's odd...my son has also been getting hives lately! He is 3. He got them a couple of weeks ago and had a SLIGHT fever. The hives only lasted about 18 hours. And they'd moved around every few hours. They went away as quick as they came on! Then I noticed today that he had them again, this time a little worse, and only on his legs. I noticed it this afternoon and by this evening they were gone. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out what's different and I can't think of ANYTHING. I can't imagine that it would be the color catcher sheet for you, but who knows? I've used them lots of times with no reactions. My son is also running a fever again, this time worse than the last. He's got the whole "cold" thing going on....nasty cough and icky nose. Anyway, sorry I don't have any "advice" for you! I just had to share that this sort of thing is going on with my son right now also and I'm baffled by it, too!

A., I have never used color sheet. but I had hives all the time growing up and as a adult. not fun at all. I have had them so bad my feet were round and eye were almost totally shut. Just watch him. I would wash his clothes all. in something very mild. They can last a couple of days. The less he can itch them the better. but that is very hard. they did give medicine for them as a adult. you might check that. they might have some. the poor baby. i am itching just thinking about it. Take goo d care of him. he will be crabby. the more he gets upset the worst they will be too. you say you are a therapist. can you tell me more.

When my son gets hives they will usually last up to a week, after a few days they seem to get better,but not completey gone for a week or so. Yes I would rewash his clothes b/c if it is that he will continue to have the allergic reaction as long as he is coming in contact with it.
E.

I would try and put him in clothes that I knew had been washed in anything free-clear---esp until he clears up.

I hope your doctor did give you the doseage for Benedryl or something similar. (My oldest had a horrible rash when she had Coxsackie virus. Before we got her to the doc I wanted to give her some meds so she would sleep - she woke up with a rash from the waist down at 3 in the morning! I called the nurse line to get a doseage for her)

I don't know if the doctor can tell the difference between allergy hives and hives from say a virus. My oldest frequently would get hive/rash whenever she wasn't feeling well. So it might be that and not something in the env.

I know it probably creates more laundry, but I would probably consider rewashing his clothing -maybe even double rinsing or using a vinegar rinse to be extra careful.

My son has severe food allergies and gets that kind of reaction if he ingests something he's allergic to. The Benadryl will work whether it's a food allergy or allergic reaction to something in the environment. If you can pinpoint something in the environment, then try to avoid it. If you think it's a food he really should get tested. It's really difficult to do the food avoidance, but my son's eczema cleared up once we identified all the ingredients he was having trouble with. The other thing is that if it's food, he probably should have an epinephrine pen around. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network is a great resource if you find out that it's food.

If it is something that you washed his clothes with, then yes absolutely rewash everything. But, speaking from experience, hives can be caused from anything... food, detergents, even stress. Allergies can come up at anytime, even if it's something you've had for years (for me, I became allergic to my period). I would keep track of pretty much anything and everything and see if the hives pop up again. Maybe you can pinpoint what is causing them.