Relief for hives??

[Willow]

DD is covered in a rash, pretty much her whole torso and on her neck and face. She has also had some swelling in her face, mainly around her eyes. I first noticed it on Monday night when I put her in the bath but it could have been longer as I had been away for 4 days (DH hadn't noticed she wasn't well )

She went to a bday party on Sunday afternoon so we're thinking she has had a reaction to something she's eaten. I have taken her to the chemist who gave us a children's antihistamine but that did nothing. I took her to the GP yesterday who agreed it was an allergic reaction and gave her a dose of Phenergan with a further two doses for me to give her at home. I gave her one last night before bed and the third this morning.

I just don't think she's getting any relief from it? She has woken the last two nights quite distressed and scratching and I just want to make it stop for her

I thought Phenergan was supposed to be pretty strong stuff - what can we try if that doesn't work??

Can anyone suggest a topical cream etc that might give her some relief??

[Janie]

There are probably a number of topical creams that might help, but it would be helpful to know exactly what the rash is before deciding to try them all. Can you take her to your pharmacist to have a look?

A few years back I suffered from chronic urticaria (hives) on and off. It was miserable. I tried so many different things, in the end there was only one antihistamine that worked in any way at all, and a topical cortisone cream that helped. The dermatologist that I saw explained that I was suffering with them because my immune system was shot (I had just had pneumonia twice), and that the greatest likelihood was that within two years they would disappear. Fortunately, he was right! Within 6 months, I only had the occasional bout, and by two years, they were gone altogether.

So maybe see if your GP thinks it's worth a referral to someone. If he really thinks it's a short-term one-off reaction, then see if he can recommend another medication/cream that might help. In the meantime, one thing found soothing (although it didn't get rid of the hives exactly) was slathering Dermaveen moisturising lotion all over the affected areas. I hope she's better soon hun

[Willow]

Thanks Janie. The reason I'm so sure it's a reaction rather than say a viral rash, is because I also went through a period of about 12 months (in the lead up to my wedding) where I would just break out in hives. Her rash looks the same and feels the same.

That's why I feel so bad for her, I know how awful it is

If she is no better by tomorrow, I'm taking her back to the GP. Think it's a bit early to think about taking her to a specialist atm, but definitely keeping that in mind.

I've been a bit reluctant to try any creams in case they make it worse iykwim?

[Janie]

Yep, definitely know what you mean. The Dermaveen is just a moisturising lotion that has colloidal oatmeal in it, if you're interested in trying something that's over the counter. Well, if you've BTDT then you definitely know how miserable (and embarrassing!) it is. Bugger that she's inherited it from you . I hope it settles down today so you don't have to rush around trying 20 million different things

[~clover~]

Could you try calomine lotion? (I think thats it, purple stuff) I've used it for mozzy bites & stuff. Its soothing too coz its cool. Oat meal baths? Corn flour?
I also used all those when DD2 had chicken pox. They helped her.
Good luck

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Not sure if it would help but when DD had an allergic reaction to food we were told to give her claratyne to bring down the hives... it seems to work for her, the chemist just tells you the dose based on the childs weight i think.

Hope your DD is ok! poor thing.