Help! Dr hive- hives, ironically

[Whereneverever]

My almost three year old is the child in question. Nine days ago he had a stomach virus- low grade fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. It's cleared up completely now and has been for days. Two days ago he started getting hives everywhere. I gave him Benadryl and they got a little better. Yesterday same thing, and now today he just got them again!

 

He hasn't eaten any new foods. Nor has he eaten anything specific right before getting them.

 

Of course it's Christmas Eve and nothing is open except an ER. And my ER doesn't have a pediatrician there. He isn't having any respiratory symptoms.

 

Wwyd dr. Hive?

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Does he have ANY other symptoms, not just respiratory?

 

If no other symptoms, I'd assume hive from the virus.

 

If there are other symptoms, I'd maybe get him checked.

 

When my ds was dairy allergic, i was to use the epi pen and go to the ER before there were respiratory symptoms.

[Karen in CO]

The hives could be related to the virus dying off - it isn't uncommon after a virus. If there are no respiratory symptoms, I'd continue with the antihistamines he's been taking that have been working. If he starts to show respiratory or other symptoms or if he gets worse, take him to the ER. Follow up with his regular doctor Wednesday if he's still having the smae problem.

[Karen in CO]

Does he have ANY other symptoms, not just respiratory?

 

If no other symptoms, I'd assume hive from the virus.

 

If there are other symptoms, I'd maybe get him checked.

 

When my ds was dairy allergic, i was to use the epi pen and go to the ER before there were respiratory symptoms.

 

Yes. This. Hives plus anything else are an automatic trip to the ER. Hives that don't respond to antihistamines also need a trip to the ER.

[Whereneverever]

Does he have ANY other symptoms, not just respiratory?

If no other symptoms, I'd assume hive from the virus.

If there are other symptoms, I'd maybe get him checked.

When my ds was dairy allergic, i was to use the epi pen and go to the ER before there were respiratory symptoms.

 

I don't think so? He had a tiny bit more diarrhea, but that's not abnormal for him. He usually has pretty loose stools.

 

The hives could be related to the virus dying off - it isn't uncommon after a virus. If there are no respiratory symptoms, I'd continue with the antihistamines he's been taking that have been working. If he starts to show respiratory or other symptoms or if he gets worse, take him to the ER. Follow up with his regular doctor Wednesday if he's still having the smae problem.

 

What other symptoms would you look for? He just saw the doctor on Thursday but this wasn't happening then. Grr.

 

He says he feels fine and isn't acting sick at all.

[Freckles]

My kids have hives for no real reason quite often. I have idiopathic urticaria. I understand hives on my body. Treat with Benadryl if they are bothering him or ice packs if they are itchy. As long as he's not having an anaphylactic reaction to something I wouldn't be too worried.

[Karen in CO]

I don't think so? He had a tiny bit more diarrhea, but that's not abnormal for him. He usually has pretty loose stools.

 

 

 

What other symptoms would you look for? He just saw the doctor on Thursday but this wasn't happening then. Grr.

 

He says he feels fine and isn't acting sick at all.

 

 

Sounds like he is fine. Other reations would be tongue swelling, throat swelling, chest pains, coughing.... anaphylaxis. We have to give our standard disclaimers when diagnosing over the internet. - Hives after a virus are usually just hives. And hives often occur for no reason that you'll ever figure out, BUT they can be a symptom of a severe allergic reaction which is why we asked.

[Whereneverever]

 

 

Sounds like he is fine. Other reations would be tongue swelling, throat swelling, chest pains, coughing.... anaphylaxis. We have to give our standard disclaimers when diagnosing over the internet. - Hives after a virus are usually just hives. And hives often occur for no reason that you'll ever figure out, BUT they can be a symptom of a severe allergic reaction which is why we asked.

 

Yeah, he doesn't have anything like that going on! Thanks!

[sparrow]

My son gets hives frequently from typically innocuous things like fluorescent lights or being tired, but he also gets them after viruses. I would watch and treat with Benadryl if they are bothering him.

 

My kids have hives for no real reason quite often. I have idiopathic urticaria. I understand hives on my body. Treat with Benadryl if they are bothering him or ice packs if they are itchy. As long as he's not having an anaphylactic reaction to something I wouldn't be too worried.

 

Wow, I'm so glad to hear I don't have the only one!

[sbgrace]

I just had a round of hives with my non-allergic child. They were viral as it sounds like yours are as well. It's not actually uncommon to have a child get hives from a virus. Those viral hives can stick around a while. After two or so days of using benadryl and seeing the hives reappear we went to Zyrtec. The Zyrtec suppresses better and is what would probably be recommended if you saw a doctor. You can dose once a day and they likely won't come back at all. We just did Zyrtec once a day for a couple of weeks and then went off. The hives are gone.