Hello moms! My daughter over the past several days keeps getting hives. When she comes in from outside, her face, hands, and feet will be covered. Over a few hours after that the hives will slowly climb up her arms and down her trunk. She's 7 and this has never happened before. I thought maybe it was hand foot and mouth so I took her in. Nope. The dr didn't really have a clear answer just gave her Benadryl and off we went. What is up? No changes in food, soap, environment, etc. thoughts??
Some questions to consider:
1. is she playing in dirt or nature that has just been sprayed with pesticide?
2. is she wearing a new sunblock or using new soap?
3. Is she on antibiotic or any other drug that could render her skin sun sensitive?
4. Any new foods?
5. Is she eating new fruits that have high acidity? -- Citrus, mango, strawberry, plum....
Hope this passes soon.
J
When she comes in from outside, have her change her clothes.
There are many things in the environment which we cannot see.
A Doc told my Mom that, in the air, there are many particles/dust/pollen etc. which clings to clothing/our skin/gets breathed in etc. and we cannot SEE these tiny airborne particles. And the air currents, changes everyday. Even something as simple as that, "changes" the environment. And via air currents or wind alone, there are things in our environment which may make someone seemingly "allergic" to something. And the seasons as well, "changes" the environment.
My Mom gets sensitive to things in the air. But it is situational. Not some daily problem.
SHe could have a sensitivity to the cold. Then, when she's scratching, it just makes it worse. Or, like others have said- she has developed an allergy to an outdoor allergen. Right now, most pollens are not active. Ragweed season is over, but there are airborne molds. A possibility. The allergist can skin test her for all those things. And, even if she has been eating the same foods, she could have developed an allergy to them. However, most food allergies happen shortly after eating them. Typically, not hours later. Not to say it can't happen, just not as likely. What's better to give her than Benadryl is Children's Zyrtec, CLaritin or Allegra. Allegra has the least amount of side-effects.
PS- I have worked for an allergist for 5 years.
*Most people believe that the first time a food is introduced, it will cause a reaction. It's after the initial introduction that the allergy is produced. So, the body is building up anitibodies to the food the more you eat it.
Good luck!
Allergies can develop quickly. Have her shower when she comes in. And schedule a visit to the allergist.
I went through a stage where I got a few hives on the insides of my arms and my trunk when I would experience a change in outside temps. I remember being cold seemed to be the worst. Not sure how, but I just slowly grew out of it.
Although it sounds a bit more severe than mine, she could just have super sensitive skin like I do. I break out in hives that look like heat rash (lots of little red dots in big areas) on my forearms, inner thighs and neck when I work out, I think just from the heat I generate since I do not sweat a lot and certainly not on my forearms. I also have that reaction when I come outside from brisk cold air to very warm dry air. What works for me is a cool shower after working out or icepacks around my neck. My doctor called it exercise dermatitis. I also break out with the waves of red dots from contact with cardboard (allergic to the glues).
Since hers sounds more severe and you say it lasts several hours (mine is usually gone in about an hour after I cool off) I would check with a dermatologist or allergist. I would gather as much data as possible: perhaps track her foods for a week or 2, her activities and note when these hives show up.
Good luck.
She's allergic to something outside if this only happens after being outside or her body is reacting to the change in temperature. I've read about that condition but can't remember what it's called. It sounds like a possibility
for her.
Also know that it's often the case that we develop allergies to things over time. She may now be allergic to something she's not had a reaction to before.
