My 17 month is getting hives on his hands and feet, and sometimes his face. The hives appear about twice a day with no real pattern. Sometimes it's in the morning before he eats and sometimes it's an hour after he eats, or just after I wipe his hands after he eats. The hives started 6 days ago. Sometimes his hands get bright red and swell as well as getting the hives. We haven't introduced any new foods or changed our laundry detergent. The doctor has no idea what's causing the hives. But she he says it's definitely an allergic reaction to something. Please share any wisdom or information regarding hives and what causes them. Thank you!
You should see an allergist. Hives can progress to anaphlactic shock at any time. He could be allergic to mold, dust mites, something that is in his diet, such as peanuts, eggs, etc. He needs to be on an antihistamine. I have been battling allergies for 43 years and my children have all had hives at one time or another. Hives shouldn't be taken lightly.
You definitely want to get him in to an allergist. HIves don't progress to anaphylactic shock, they are considered to be part of an anaphylactic response, as is vomiting, even without the breathing problems. The breathing problems can come anytime the hives are on the face, or without hives. When I learned that I was pretty scared, because I had only been giving Benadryl for the hives if they bothered my son.
The reason I say an allergist, is that many doctors who have some training in allergies don't have enough information to give completely accurate help. We went to National Jewish Hospital when my son was 3.5 and learned everything we "knew" about my son's allergies was wrong. That's when I learned the about about hives.
Even though your son is so young, a skin test should still be done and then blood tests if the skin tests indicate a need. In reality, neither is really accurate until around age 3, but the information we've gotten has been helpful for our two younger ones.
Once you get it figured out, it's really not as scary as it may seem right now. One thing you can do in the meantime is start a diary. Include everything he eats, at what time, and how much. Mark down anytime there is a change in weather or environment, say a trip to the park, etc., as well as anytime you change any cleaner in the house. Of course, you want to keep track of when hives started, where they were located, how you treated them, and how long they lasted. That information will get you light years ahead at your first appointment. Who knows, maybe seeing it all in writing, you'll figure out the culprit. Good luck!
P.S. Sometimes kids just have random hives. My son, as well as one of his friends both get them for no known reason. In that case, there is no need for alarm.
Hi, you are right to be concerned about this. Could it be the chemicals in your house? Do you use Lysol, Pine Sol, Mr. Clean, etc.? Some children are very sensitive to these toxic products. I know I am!! I am now using safer, non toxic products in my home. If you want more information on this, please email me at ____@____.com. I would love to share some info with you!! I have noticed a huge difference in my home ever since I switched products. Good luck to you and have a fantastic day!
H. Snoke
That sounds like a light allergic reaction to something they've eaten.
It is difficult for me to keep this answer short as I have chrnoic hives. After years of doctors and medication the only thing that works for me to atleast keep them at bay is zyrtec. Mine are allergy related. Seasonal allergies starting in February and they usually go away around October/November. I am highly allergic to dust and this trigers them. Also temperature changes can do the same. I would take notes on when he has them, where you were, etc. This will help you remember. There is no known cause or treatment so any information you can gather yourself will be beneficial. I hope this helps. They are horrible to have!
I would keep a journal when it happens. Kids can develop allergies suddenly even if they fave been exposed before to it. Write down food, liquid intake, where you are(room or place) et. eventually you should find a pattern of some kind.
Good Luck!
You can become allergic to anything at anytime even old products. I got hives from the laundry detergent my mom had used for year. My husband suddenly became allergic to the shampoo I used for year. So start slowly rewash a few of his clothes in just water to get all the detergent out and see if the hives stop and go away if so that is what it is and tends to be the most common. If not remove his soaps at bath time and see if its that and so on.
Does he have a cup of milk before breakfast? I would have him tested for milk allergy, it develops anytime and it sounded just like this with my best friends son...
Think about what you're cleaning his dishes, highchair, and hands with. For example, my daughter is highly sensitive to Suave products and Ajax dishwashing liquid, but not other brands of soaps or cleansers. I have no idea why, and the answer is as simple as not using those products. And the hives appeared out of the blue one day. You might consider only using an all natural hypo-allergenic cleaning product, or just vinegar and water, on his skin and on all things that he will come in contact with when he eats (table surface, utensils, dishes). And I definitely agree with using the journal. Note time of day, room, environment, food, clothing, and everything you did when the hives appeared.
Are his hands, feet & face cold when he gets these hives? If so he could have Cold Utercaria (not sure of the exact spelling). I have this and if my hands, feet or face are cold I get hives that can become very itchy. Not many doctors know about this diagnosis so it was many years before I was actually diagnosed with this.
Hi Jonette,
My son also went through a bout of hives that we just could not diagnose... and there was NO rhyme or reason as to why or what was causing them and I changed everything in my house - cleaners, detergents - the whole 9 yards. Our pediatrician conducted two blood screen and tested for the normal food allergies (he, too, was convinced it was something he was digesting) and he was negative for those allergens! The hives finally went away after we went through 3 weeks of on-again, off-again bout of hives! My pediatrician thought he was just one of those 10% of kids that go through a bout of hives for no detectible reason, however gave us a prescription for an epi-pen, to carry everywhere, just in case.
Then one year later - it happened again! We had just moved from IL to CO and we were referred to the Colorado Allergy and Asthma Clinic. After completing a round of cat scratch tests - come to find out, my son was not allergic to anything.... he actually has an overactive immune system and will get hives after a cold or illness. It is absolutely unrelated to environment or food allergies. All I have to do is keep some Benadryl on hand, in case he gets hit with a bout.
In short, the moral of my story is.... if it persists, go to a specialist. As much as I LOVED my ped in IL, he is not an expert in child allergies and was unable to diagnose - the specialist did, and quickly. I highly recommend the Colorado Allergy and Asthma Clinic... they were fantastic!
Good Luck!
J.
