My 11 yr old daughter breaks out in hives when she has a cold. I have been trying to research the reason for this but have come up with nothing. Have metioned this to her dr. but he does not seem concerned. It is more annoying for her than anything. Usually on her hands and feet only and lasts almost entire duration a cold. I give her children's Benadryl when it gets to where she can't stand the hives. I don't like to keep her drugged up and she doesn't like the fact that the Benadryl makes her sleepy so she will only take it when they are unbearable. She has mild asthma that she takes Singulair for every night but I can't imagine her asthma would cause this. She has been on the Singulair for about 5 yrs. and yes this has been going on ever since she was little. Does anyone have any enlightenment or suggestions?
I'm starting to think that maybe the allergy theory is correct. I gave her children's Zyrtec and within an hour they were gone and she says she doesn't feel tired. I'm going to contact her Dr. to see if we can get a referral to an allergy specialist. Thanks for all the great responses.
I agree that this could be an allergy...but the allergy could be something in the medication you are giving her. My sister had severe hives when she was younger. We found out the reaction was to the orange dye in the medicine she was taking for an infection! So, it could be something in the Singulare, or something you give her for the cold. Sometimes drs. don't think about the medication causing the reaction!
Good luck!!
I would look for a second opinion...
Singular is for allergies that seem to irritate asthma, not for asthma. You might ask your doctor about cingular or zyrtec. (My spelling might be off)
To help with the hives, have you tried hydrocorizon (again the spelling might be wrong)? It is an anti-itch cream that might help so that she doesn't have to be sleepy from the benedryl.
But again, I would get a second opinion.
My first thought is maybe she's not actually getting a cold, but is actually having an allergic reaction to something. Allergies are a tricky thing. Perhaps it's time to visit an allergist for a comprehensive test. I've gone through them for myself 3 times since I was a 10 or 11...with the most recent time being about 28 years of age. It's just mildly uncomfortable and it's over in about an hour and it might help identify what's bugging her.
I see that you already have lots of responses, but I just (literally) got back from the dr with my 2 year old who has been breaking out in hives for no apparent reason. He asked if he had been having cold symptoms b/c that can trigger hives in some people. It may be an allergy or it could just be the cold itself. Good luck figuring the hives out -it seems like there are a million reasons for hives and to find the reason is like finding a needle in a haystack!
My four year old just started this too... freaked me out... they were random and popping up everywhere on her body and she was itchy and uncomfortable. I was told I could give her zrytec daily or benedryl when the hives acted up. I finally took her in with pics of her hives.. they did a chest xray and a throat culture and sent me home with no answers.
Seems to be there has got to be a reason for this.. why her body is doing it right?
Hi S.. I am writing because my sister has this exact problem with her 4 yr old and he does have asthma. Whenever he gets a cold, he breaks out in what she thought was hives, but it is really little itchy sores which is a direct product of his asthma. She was told by his asthma specialist that many parents think they are hives, but the sores are the body's way of trying to get the histamine out of the body. My nephew has had these "hives" twice since Christmas. The dr. said sometimes kids grow out of it and sometimes they do not. My nephew is also on meds for his asthma but he takes more powerful steriods for his flareups and regular breathing treatments. I recommend taking your daughter to an asthma specialist if you haven't already done so. I hope this helps!
Hi S.,
For whatever it is worth--my friend's son has asthma and he frequently gets the hives/sores, and it doesn't seem to be linked to whether or not he has a cold. She (my friend) says it is linked to the asthma. Maybe your daughter only gets them when her system is under some stress, e.g., the cold? Checking with an allergist probably won't hurt, and might even help. Good luck!
K. Z.
Sounds like her immune system gets low......have you tried putting her on vitamins? That might help with the colds and the hives. I am with a wellness company that has great non toxic products that will help her with her asthma as well as the hives and they have great childrens vitamins as well. But I would try vitamins.......and maybe Vitamin C when she starts feeling the sniffles....
I would ask a doctor about putting her on zrtek (sp) or other OTC.......just to be safe.......
YOu have some great advice from the other ladies. I would definitely check your child out for allergies. The best place is to start with an osteopath and/or an allergist. My daughter was diagnosed with an immune deficiency and we are working through both. You need to get a thorough work up to rule out a bunch of stuff. It's worth it to be able identify what is really wrong. You don't live in my area so I can't recommend one so hopefully someone else near you will come up with a name for you. Weak immune systems cause allergic reactions and infections so please consider this route.
the only time one of my kids broke out in hives from a cold was when i used a fast disolving generic tylenol for the pain / fever. never used the medication again, and thus, no more hives.
My son who lives in California has been hospitalized several times for a very severe allergic response that noone could trace. There is a doctor on the west side who specializes in allergies who suggested that it was an allergy to wheat that was only triggered by intense exercise. This has transformed my son's life.
I think it would be worth while for you to take your child ONCE to a really good allergenist (spelling?) and I would suggest my doctor because I think he is an amazing detective. I don't think I am allowed to make recommendations on this site. But ask around for a doctor with imagination who has really made a difference. I like the suggestion that the colds may be an allergic response.
