Hives?

4 m.o. DS has got what I think is hives this morning - big red blotchy patches with some little white marks at the centre - but just on one leg! He's never had them before (but does have eczema). I'm racking my brains to think what might have caused it ... during tummy time this morning, his leg may have been on the carpet (as he was on a small mat)... or the dog may have licked/drooled on it (she was very interested in his nappy smell!) and could have snuck in a lick before I told her to leave him alone.

But, the carpet & the dog haven't changed since he was born... so why would he react now? Any wise advice? He seemed a bit fretful this morning so I just sponged his leg with a lukewarm washer... and he's asleep now, so it can't be bothering him too much. Should I be on the alert for other allergic reactions though? Should I be taking him to the Dr?

TIA,
Belfie

Any chance they could be mozzie bites?

Also, my DD had something similar when we moved house - turned out all the disturbed dust reacted with her sensitive skin. If your Dog has been outside, they may have brought some pollen in or dust which might agrivate his skin.

If he hasn't been exposed to anything new, I don't think it will be an allergic reaction (also, they tend to be over the whole body not just one part). But, if you feel at all concerned or worried, feel free to make a Dr appointment and get some reassurance everything is ok.

HTH

MG

When I see something like that I always call the healthnurse line and explain it to them beacuse rashes can be soooo many different things. They still may say go to doctor (which I know is a pain on the weekend - a long one at that) but at least they can put you rmind at ease.

Mackenzie has had several rashes from hives (allergic reaction) to hand, foot and mouth to a virus and ezcsma too. Anyway give them a call!

well after all that, his hives disappeared by his next feed (and he seemed perfectly fine otherwise)... but I'll definitely call next time, thanks!

And Mother Goose, I'm FAIRLY sure it wasn't mozzie bites... just seemed too sudden and just didn't look like bites IYKWIM... I'll just keep an eye out.

Thanks again :)
Belfie

Oh dear not happy Jan!

DH was busy kissing DS (as you do) who was lying on his mat on the floor... the dog saw smooches in action & rushed in to join the party, licking DS on the forehead. And sure enough, within 10 mins, DS has a lovely "hive-y" welt on his forehead where he was licked. So now we know it was the dog.

I'm assuming this means DS is allergic to the saliva... does this mean he always will be? Anyone else had experience of this - did it get worse, or resolve with age? I love my dog and really would prefer not to have to rehome her... but I don't want to risk DS's health either. I'd always thought a home with pets would be better not worse... :rolleyes:

I have an allergy to cat hair and dander, and we succesfully kept two cats inside for many years. It all depends on the severity of the allergy, and allergies can wax and wane over the years depending on the degree of exposure to the allergen.

You may be able to look at a densisitisation program, where they use small doses of the allergen over time to slowly reduce the severity of an allergic reaction. But your DS would probably have to be older. Another option for him when he is an adult may be a long-term steroid to manage allergy symptoms; I have been on Nasonex on and off for probably 10 years now to help treat seasonal allergic rhinitis that used to be so bad I would have a runny nose and itchy eyes for weeks at a time.