On Tuesday, my 16 month old son ate 1/2 of a banana and a piece of string cheese. He drank his milk normally. On Wednesday, he was supposed to go to daycare, and after he had been there for about 1 hour, our provider called me to pick him up because he had had diarehia 3 times. His tummy was obviously upset, and he didn't eat that day either. We went to the doctor and he said that it was probably just a bug and it was okay for him to not eat, as long as he was drinking. He said we could give him PediaSure or Carnation Instant Breakfast if we wanted to get some nutrients in him. We did so on Thursday, and he still didn't eat anything. On Friday morning, when he didn't eat anything, I called the doctor back. They said to come in for a second opinion, but the second opinion said the same thing as the first doctor. Just a bug, wait it out, eating isn't as important as drinking. Continue with PediaSure or Carnation Instant Breakfast.
We were also supposed to go get a flu shot on Saturday. We had asked both doctors if it was okay with this bug and they both said yes. On Friday night, my son't cheeks started to get red and kinda rashy. I thought he might be overheated from his Halloween costume. On Saturday morning, he had hives on his cheeks. So, we called the on call doctor as we were heading over to get our flu shot. When we go to the clinic, we asked the pharmacist if it was okay and they said yes. When we got into the room and took his pants off for the shot, his legs were all rashy and red. The nurse giving the shot called another nurse in and they both told us to not get the shot and to give our son Benedryl and told us the dose.
So, our son still wasn't eating. We went home and gave him the Benedryl. He went down for a nap and woke up about 20 minutes later upset. He worked himself into a total frenzy. He was screaming and didn't want to be touched. When I tried to hold him, he started hitting me and arching his back and screaming like I have never heard him before. After about 30-40 minutes of this, he finally calmed down enough for me to hold him. I was able to get him to sleep, and he ended up sleeping most of the benedryl off.
He still isn't eating. He will drink his milk. His poops are still a little runny. He still is a bit rashy, but I don't want to give him Benedryl again because that was scary yesterday. I thought the rash might be from the Carnation Instant Breakfast because I had never given him that before so now I am just giveing him milk or water.
So, thoughts on the eating? On the rash? Can Benedryl have that effect on him? Please help! I am worrying and don't know what to do for him and feel horrible about it!
Our kids got the bug and it was at least a week before two of them ate. Milk could be making it worse. Definitely could be a reaction to CIB or Benadryl. You might be able to find something like Benadryl with a different active ingredient. I'm not sure what there might be. I'm sorry he's not feeling well. I would figure his appetite will improved in the next few days, though. It was almost two weeks before our 5yo was completely back to normal. The only one who didn't lose her appetite was the 4 mo. If the hives come back, I'd definitely have it checked out by a doctor.
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D.K.
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Stop the milk until he is better. Try just clear liquids. Kids can go a while without eating until the diareha clears up. Main thing is to have him drink a lot!!!
Sounds like roseola, rotovirus or even another child bug. Rashes occur typically when they are fighting off a virus. My daughter got the roto virus and it lasted like a week, not fun but mainly keeping them hydrated is essential. Dry foods like toast, crackers, and easy on the tummy stuff.
The flu shot won't hurt him if he wasn't running a fever. So I doubt you had any effects with that. I wouldn't do benadryl either if he is having diarreha. Get some gatorade to make sure he is hydrated. Clear Gatorade or Pedialyte. Popsicles, clear soup broth but stop the dairy until his bowels settle. Try probiotics too to help get his digestive tract back in swing. I doubt it was the Carnation instant breakfast.
Sounds like he was getting a virus and that is typically what happens with rashes. Does the benadryl get rid of the rash? Benadryl is a very mild med but if he isn't having an allergic reaction then it is useless. I would bet it is a virus and a common one.
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C.B.
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Denver
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Yes, he can have a reaction to Benedryl and I have! He is getting nutition from the Carnation Instant Breakfast and the Pediasure. He did have some sort of reaction to something because he would not have rashed up unless it is part of the flu or whatever he has! I would keep pushing fuilds and see if the BRAT diet helps. (Banannas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) It is good when the kids have diarria.
C.
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P.D.
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Denver
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I don't know, dear, I think I would consider taking him to Urgent Care if it were me, by this point. That's a long time not to eat, and although he's drinking he could be getting dehydrated. You might consider giving him something like Gatorade (watered down) for the electrolites,as well. I hope this all clears up soon!
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N.S.
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Pocatello
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You expressed concern about the carnation, you could still give him pedialyte with his water. Maybe even, since he's feeling so punk, let him have some soda with the pedialyte that will sooth his tummy. One like Fresca so there isn't a ton of sugar to counteract what the pedialyte is doing. If the rash isn't turning into open sores or looking really scary (like not just red bumps anymore) I would take him back to the doctor, but if it still looks the same, it could just be his body's way of reacting to the whole bug. One of my sons has a red rash right now, along with an eye infection. The info I've found about the rash is it's probably not a big deal unless it's no longer just red bumps, but takes on a open sore look, or has gray in the center. But in spite of all this, if you have a nagging feeling, go ahead and take him to another doctor.
