Son Is Itchy

Updated on June 09, 2011
T.H. asks from Beverly Hills, CA
11 answers

My son has been itchy for a couple days. I took him to the doctor yesterday who said it was a reaction to a mild sunburn that he has & to put on anti itch cream and Sarna. The itch is no where near the sunburn and it is mainly on his sides. He is not a chubby kid and there is no rash or no raised bumps. You can see nothing on his skin just marks from where he has scratched. It woke him up several times last nite so I reapplied the lotion. I also gave him some bendaryl today which seems to help but he is still scratching. Any ideas???

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M.J.

answers from St. Louis on

My son did this all the time, especially legs, arms, and ears. His doctor put him on Zyrtec and it's usually a lot better, although he still does it when he's been outside in the grass or pool a lot. We also put on hydrocortisone ointment and try to keep his skin lotioned up as much as possible.

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Roll on Liquid deoderant ... not stick or gel like you normally get ... i get mine at the dollar store.

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Poor guy. I agree, if it's not near the sunburn I don't see how it could be related. I get this way myself sometimes, and it's usually because I switched detergents, bath soap or body wash, anything that touches my skin. I'll look and there's also no rash, but it itches like crazy! It's called
"contact dermatitis." What your doctor recommended is good treatment, though, but I use an anti-itch spray, it irritates my skin less than the cream. Do be careful with the Benadryl, that stuff scares me and we don't use it in oral form at all, but in the spray and gel for the kids kids. Oatmeal baths may help relieve the itching, too.

Think back to figure out if you switched detergents, soaps, fabric softeners, his bubble bath, or put a new article of clothing on him before washing it (the sizing in them irritates many people.) If you figure something out go back to the original and hopefully he'll stop itching soon.

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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Tide detergent and any anti-persperant does this to me. Most of my kids and my wife can't use anti-persperants either. If you changed detergents or food types, change back and see if the itching stops.

Good luck to you and yours.

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C.D.

answers from St. Louis on

Did he have sunscreen in those areas? Tons of chemicals in those & he could be reacting. Try a more natural brand

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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

Try a baking soda bath. Put some baking soda in a tub of cool to warm water and have him sit in the tub for 20-30 minutes.

M..

answers from Ocala on

I would take him to a dermatology Dr..

I hope he feels better.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Could be a reaction to traces of detergent or fabric softener left in his clothes. I've had problems from detergents several times, though I've never used a fabric softener because most are so darn toxic.

You might try an unscented detergent, followed in the rinse cycle by one cup white vinegar. That will remove most of the detergent residue and soften the fabric while it dries.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

my son always itched & sometimes had a rash after using the pool. It did not matter whether it was clear water or chlorine....both bothered him.

How about an oatmeal bath? It does wonders for itching!

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J.K.

answers from Dallas on

There has been cases (my son & daughter included) where 5th's disease/Hand Foot Mouth disease and sometimes called, Slapped-Face disease has been going around here. It starts with cold symptoms...sometimes so mild you don't even notice them. Then there's a rash. My daughter had the rash on the back of her legs. My son had it starting w/his face, then on his shoulders and back and it moved down his legs. He itched terribly and was miserable. Both my kids had the rosey cheeks which is the reason they call it Slapped-Face Disease. Once the rash becomes present, they're no longer contagious. It lasted about 2 weeks. Since it's a virus, there's really nothing you can do for it except treat the symptoms w/benadryl or oatmeal baths.

Not saying this is what your son has, but, it's just a thought.

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H.R.

answers from Anchorage on

NEVER wake up a sleeping child or baby to put lotion ! Let him sleep as much as possible, when HE wakes up and is having the problem, then put it on. Same with any medication - don't wake them up during the night, if they are sleeping then they are fine. The doctor should know what it is more than you or I so I would stick for a week with what he told you, if it is not working then go see another dr. in the practice. I would say use some type of hydrocortisone cream. Also check that you are not using fabric softeners (he could be having an allergic reaction, as well as mild laundry detergents). Do not use any perfumed soaps (something like Dove for sensitive skin, or Ivory) in the shower. Try those things and hopefully they will work.

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