Have you ever had hives?

[Esther]

If so, what was it in response to?

We've been dealing with some sort of allergic reaction with my 9 year old for almost 2 weeks now and we're baffled. Twice (technically 3 times but the 2nd time doesn't count as the dr. was obviously incompetent - he knew everything, including how stupid my mother in-law and I are, having both been born just yesterday) I have taken him to ER because his entire body was slowly but steadly being engulfed in hives. I was afraid he would develop hives in his airways as they seemed to be starting to affect his breathing the first time. I thought hives were almost always a result of an allergy but the drs I've spoken to within the last couple of weeks, including an allergist I talked to yesterday afternoon, said that they're almost never from an allergy. That's news to me.

[elysian]

If so, what was it in response to?

We've been dealing with some sort of allergic reaction with my 9 year old for almost 2 weeks now and we're baffled. Twice (technically 3 times but the 2nd time doesn't count as the dr. was obviously incompetent - he knew everything, including how stupid my mother in-law and I are, having both been born just yesterday) I have taken him to ER because his entire body was slowly but steadly being engulfed in hives. I was afraid he would develop hives in his airways as they seemed to be starting to affect his breathing the first time. I thought hives were almost always a result of an allergy but the drs I've spoken to within the last couple of weeks, including an allergist I talked to yesterday afternoon, said that they're almost never from an allergy. That's news to me.

I know Tylenol 3 gave me the hives, as well as puking fits. Discovering that my body will not tolerate opiates on the same day I had all four of my wisdom teeth removed was not a good time to make this observation.

The effects of the pain killer were far worse than the surgery itself.

My son got a terrible case of the hives when he was about a year old, presumably due to heat. He still breaks out if he gets too hot.

Unfortunately it sounds like you need to find a Dr. with a clue. Is your son taking any kind of medication? Is he eating new or different food, or gotten new clothes or bedding lately? Have you changed your laundry soap (my Dad gets the hives if his clothes are washed in anything other than Tide Free) or fabric softener? These things sound weird but can cause reactions in some people.

[mossrose]

I am fairly certain that at least some hives are caused by allergies. My brother used to get terrible ones, and it turned out he was allergic to cow's milk. My husband used to get them from peanuts, but doesn't any more.

Hives can also be stress related. My mother and myself have had that experience. I have also had stress related excema......that was fun......

I am with El. Sounds like you need to find a doc who knows something besides how stupid all us lay people are......

[bar Jonah]

Yeah, but we had a pest control guy come buy and smoke 'em good, removed the hives, and since then, haven't had a significant problem. Which is a good thing, as I have some degree of phobia of bees, wasps, yellowjackets, hornets.

[anthrogirl]

Esther,

I just had a similiar experience a few weeks ago. I looked like E.T.--and it was quite uncomfortable. The hives left me totally incapacitated (read: bed-ridden) for about 4 days (my skin actually split open from the swelling)--it was only after a visit to my acupuncturist that I found relief (within about 10 minutes of treatment)

It happened immediately after eating mexican food one day. then they went away overnight. and the next day, i had thai food--and they came back super strong!

i don't know why your dr. told you that hives are almost never caused by allergies...every medical text i own suggests otherwise.

Naturopathic Docters are very well suited to address these kinds of issues. Also, if you have one nearby, a Dr. who specializes in pediatric Chinese Medicine will most certainly do the trick. Chinese Medicine deals with organ systems, and is extremely specific to the sufferer's complaints. Hives tend to be a result of heat invasion to the body systems (in chinese med)--and Chinese herbs and acupuncture are remarkably effective.

good luck--keep us posted

ag

[Gabby]

Hope this is helpful. I hope you can find help for your 9 year old. It's got to be horrible for them.

Hives (http://www.drgreene.com/21_822.html)

Sometimes hives can be caused by virus.

Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (http://www.drgreene.com/21_842.html)

[anthrogirl]

a quick aside:


"Solar urticaria -- A rare disorder in which sun exposure results in hives. Sunscreen (http://www.drgreene.com/21_157.html) can help! "

I have this disorder. it's especially awful when i go to the equator. heavy-duty sunscreen helps, though.

ag

[elysian]

a quick aside:


"Solar urticaria -- A rare disorder in which sun exposure results in hives. Sunscreen (http://www.drgreene.com/21_157.html) can help! "

I have this disorder. it's especially awful when i go to the equator. heavy-duty sunscreen helps, though.

ag

My son gets hives from his own sweat if he gets too hot, but he can tan somewhat in the sun as he has a slightly darker complexion than mine. My skin is ultra-pale and I too am extremely sun-sensitive. I get blisters, freckles and splotches- no tan- after only a brief time in the sun (and we don't see sun terribly often in Ohio except in late summer and fall-time) I use the Factor 45 sunscreen that is marketed for babies, and it keeps me nice and pale as well as blister and splotch free, though I wonder if it would be enough if I went further south. When I visit my sister in NC sun exposure is usually not a big problem because she lives in the mountains and when we're out we are normally in the woods, where you need to worry more about poison ivy and ticks.

[Esther]

a quick aside:


"Solar urticaria -- A rare disorder in which sun exposure results in hives. Sunscreen (http://www.drgreene.com/21_157.html) can help! "

I have this disorder. it's especially awful when i go to the equator. heavy-duty sunscreen helps, though.

ag

I think my youngest had that. Once he got a bad sunburn on his shoulders and it turned into a giant hive and spread all over his entire body. Praise God, it did not itch until the last day (it lasted several!). Apparently it's chronic?