HIVES REMEDIES?!?!?!?!?!

[LisaB]

Since the eczema topic received such a great response, I will try the same approach. My almost 4 year old has been having terrible hives for 3 months now. We have been to the allergist who is so arrogant as to say that we have a 70% chance of never knowing why he is having these hives. (How can you know if you do not test for allergens???) He even said that hives are not caused by allergies!!! (Huh?!) Zyrtec made him irritable; he is on Allegra and Zantac now which seems to be less help. I had to give him Orapred last night his hives were getting so bad... He itches all day and all night (which means his sleep is suffering - mine too). I have put Benadryl lotion on his hives, which helps him sleep anyway. The allergist said that is not any help, it is all in my head. (?!?!) I come from an allergy family; I am an allergic person; I am educated; I do know my head from my feet; I do know that some things work for me and my other kids and some things don't; I AM LOST WITH HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE HIVES (and the doctor)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sure pray that someone out there has some helpful advice on "cures" as my poor little guy is just miserable . (BTW we are going back to his regular pediatrician Friday to tell him to deal with it himself, we are not going back to the allergist).
Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[greeneyes9999]

Hello!
My kids have a food allergy to pears and we always give the kids benedryl clear and also use the benedryl cream... You need to fight the hives both internally and externally....We had awesome luck with this combo...

When they had the chicken pox we used to do the old fashion oat meal baths with cool water for them ...This might be worth a shot for you...

Personally I would find a new doctor....there has to be some relief for this poor mite!

Good luck! and I will keep you in my prayers that you get some relief....

[gretchensart]

Hello! Allergy-prone myself! I found out I'm allergic to shrimp last year - the hard way! Broke out in hives all over my face. Twice!
I tried Benadryl, Claratin, everything else out there. The only thing that made it go away was Prednisone, a steroid prescribed (finally) by my doctor. Hopefully your pediatrician can do allergy tests or at least prescribe something to help your little one! I know how miserable hives can be!
Gretchen in SC

[MSBetsyZ]

GEEZ! Any doctor, specialist or not, who does not work with you to try and find something that WILL help is definitely worth firing! For pete's sake, this is a KID!

I wonder if it would help to start a food elimination diet? I know it's a tough way to go but if his hives are SO consistent, maybe it's something in his diet that's all of a sudden turned on him...

AACK! Good luck...I HATE it when it's my kid that's suffering...

Hugs,
Betsy

[craftdoc]

I have suffered from chronic hives lasting up to 2 years. Benedryl (by mouth) seems to calm the itch for me. I also take claritin twice a day since the insurance won't cover Zyrtec any more. My latest bout was "cured" when I had a bad reaction to a yellow jacket sting and had to take a 3 day course of Prednisone (steroid). My allergist said there is often no way to track down what is causing the hives. THey should at least try some testing and looking at diet. Good luck!

[melissahardy58]

I had a horrible case of hives several years ago that wouldn't go away. I even got them in my throat and digestive tract (according to my Dr.). We never did find the cause - my Dr. suspected a virus. I went through allergy testing and was highly allergic to everything they tested me for, but the allergist said that may have been because of the hightened sensitivity in my system from the hives. To make a long story short, I finally had to take a course of Prednisone to get rid of them. They did repeat skin testing after the hives settled down and my reactions were not nearly as severe as they were when I had the hives.

I feel bad for your little one. It's one thing to have them as an adult but to be a little kid and not understand what's going on....he must be miserable. I would definitely change physicians. Your allergist sounds like a jerk! Good luck!

[Laurie FW]

Definitely find a new allergist, hives are absolutely caused by allergies! Benadryl does help in the very least and benadryl cream plus a benadryl taken internally at night should help him sleep better!

I had hives when pregnant and couldn't take benadryl. The only relief I got was in oatmeal baths. I got an old stocking leg and tied it off at one end. Put in one whole cup of oatmeal, old fashioned or quick, whichever you have on hand, tie it off at the other end. Put it in the tub and swish it around in there really good (it looks yucky and is messy!) Have your child take a bath in it and get good and covered with the water. This was the most relief I had last time I had hives! I even took naps in the water (which of course, your child can't do, but he can rest a bit!) This bath helped me much more than the Aveeno oatmeal bath sold at the drugstore!!

You might also try hydrocortisone cream (anti-itch) until the source of the allergy is found. Try washing his clothes in Cheer or Tide Free (whatever you can find in your town). He definitely needs allergy testing! Was he taking any medication at the time? Be sure to tell your pediatrician! Write down all of your families' allergies, chances are he is allergic to something you are a family member is allergic to! Nuts, eggs, dairy, fruit, wheat, corn, pets, dust, medicine, plants, cleaning products, etc. etc. could all be the culprits!

Good luck, I feel real sorry for your little one, and for you! Be assertive and get him the help he needs, definitely get another allergist! I'll be praying for you both!

[photocropper]

My dd is allergic to Peanuts - gave her peanut butter one time and she broke out head to toe and for 2 days - that was one small cracker... I can not imagine what a sandwich would do to her. She knows the smell and will not eat anything with peanut butter. Even Cookies!!

My son broke out one time and we never knew what it was but it went away.

I would suggest you talk to your peds doc - they usually know the best things to do - he will probably need a good dose of steriods (my son has had them in the past for other things and they are not bad) He just could not go to daycare for a few days because his system was trying to fight things off and he was prone to getting other things.....basically the steriod lowered his immune system for a short time...
For the mean time I would do benedryl (mainly at night if that is the worst time as you do not want him sleeping all day long!!) Then you can use cream like 3 or 4 times a day.

You know something else I just thought of - is he upset about something?? Sometimes when I get upset or nervous I break out in hives. Something else to talk to the doc about.

[LisaB]

Thank you all... Keep it coming... I have tried the elimination diet (which was easy since he eats so few foods)... I have prednisone liquid that I give him when they get really bad (like last night) but I just hate giving that to him... It sure does help though! Zyrtec helped a bit, but not a lot. Allegra is less helpful. I have washed everything in All Free & Clear over and over. I have cleaned the carpet over and over. I have installed air conditioning to keep the outside allergens down. The allergist is so fired!

[janz]

Hi! First of all, this is IMPORTANT! If you're going to use Benadryl, I recommend (on Doctor's advice) NOT to use both the oral and the topical at the same time. This can cause an overdose of the medication, because it is absorbed into the skin and gets into your entire system. It can also cause more irritibility.

Can the doctor check for other infections, maybe by doing blood work? For my family, the only time any of us have gotten hives is when we've been sick with something else and our immune systems kicked in to overdrive. I know everyone is different, but it's a thought!

Also, start a food journal. Then begin eliminating the more highly contagious foods one at a time and see if you can find the culprit on your own. Can you get a different allergist? They should be testing him for both environmental and food allergies!

I really feel for your son. If an oatmeal bath (or baking soda) makes hime feel better, let him live in there!

Dejah (janz)

[daphne532]

Oh how awful. I have a number of food and environmental allergies, and have for all of my adult life. The first thing that I would recommend is to find a different allergist. Your pediatrician should be able to recommend a different pediatric allergist. I would also make sure that they do test his allergies. You will not know for sure if it's something in his room (dust mites, cat/dog dander, etc) or if it's something in his diet (milk, citric acid, etc.) unless you do have him tested. After that they should be able to give you some place to start. You'd be surprised what the mattress pads that they have out for dust mites can do (the old plastic ones were horrible but they have some really nice ones out now that are not so uncomfortable) and if that was the problem you might find that to be of great help. If that wasn't the problem though you'd not know it without the allergy testing. The next thing is that they may just need to give him some type of steriod just to stop this immediate reaction. If you alleviate the allergen but the skin is allready so irritated you could be frustrated for a long time just trying to get this reaction under control and not knowing for sure if you've eliminated the allergen or not. Your Pediatrician should be able to give you something. I've found Benadryl liquid to be of GREAT help for one of my daughters. She has terribly sensitive skin and breaks out with almost anything. The other two kids NEVER had the skin trouble that our youngest has. I hope that this is of some help. I know how difficult it is to watch your child itch and scratch and stay awake due to skin reactions.

[RyAngie]

I feel so bad for you and your little one! It is just as awfull for a mom to not be able to provide relief for her children, as to be the one to suffer.
I too agree with the other posts : FIRE that allergist!! Would it be possible to see a naturopath? A good naturopath will help you investigate and fiqure out the SOURCE of this reaction. ( there really is one!!) Until then, there is a very common weed that grows among the grasses called 'plantain' ( I am sure if you looked it up on the net, you would find a picture) tear off a leaf, and rub it on an itch - my kids love it, and use it all the time. Until then -- I will pray that you will find a solution.

[LisaB]

I MADE him test for some allergens - he is allergic to cat, egg, dust and something else is lowest. Not around any of the above. Since we are an allergy family, I have all of our pillows and mattresses covered in what I call "condoms" which are the allergy-proof thingys. He won't test for eucalyptus or pepper trees which I am allergic to and we have in back of us... Has anyone had hives from trees or bushes or pollens??? We've done the aveeno oatmeal bath too - but I am going to try the actual oatmeal (thanks!). Can I just go to sleep in it?!?!?! Maybe I will wake up and you all will have found me a CURE!!! My sister says to stamp on him and he will look like they are supposed to be there. :shock:

[JanTInk]

Okay, I'm going to make you so totally sorry for me:

I get hives from wine and beer (not all, but some!) I never can tell which beer or wine will give me a reaction and it's just not worth it, honestly, to drink the stuff when it makes me look like someone punched me in the face! I started developing this allergy about 10 or 12 years ago and it has gotten steadily worse with time. What finally sent me over the edge was having to drink part of the communion wine left after a funeral...usually the priest does that, but there was a lot left and he asked me (the lay reader and chalice bearer) to finish some of it. I looked really really bad after that! I can still intinct my communion wafer, but I do not drink wine for the most part.

I also have gotten hives from certain cleaners and it was the fumes that did it, not the actual product on my skin.

I've never taken anything for them, but just thinking about them starts my cheeks to tingling like I'm about to get them!

[LisaB]

Jan, what cleaner fumes??? That is something new to me! Maybe??? Has anyone else out there got hives from fumes? ...and to what??? I have plug-ins... hmmm.... Also, anyone been blessed with hives from pollens??? I am so sorry for you, Jan, and for all you others who suffer from these!!! I get itchy, and that drives me crazy, but not hives!!! Maybe we should put all of you and my little guy in a plastic bubble. He likes to stamp!
There just has to be something that will make them go away! I want my happy boy back!!!

[MadgeRPh]

I am a Pharmacist and some of the meds you mentioned are not FDA approved for children under 10. Physicians still use them safely, but you must be careful. I recommend trying a pediatric allergist. Oftentimes, physicians who primarily treat adults are unfamiliar with using certain medications in the pediatric population and they may react differently in kids. A prime example is Ritalin. It is classified as a stimulant and is used for that indication in the adult poplulation, but has the opposite effect on children with ADHD.

In an emergency room situation, always try to take your children to a hospital that has a pediatric physician on the ER staff. (where's George Clooney when you need him!) They are more familiar with pediatric dosing requirements and the effects of medications in kids.

If you live near a city with a university affiliated hospital, you can probably find a pediatric allergist. If not, find a new allergist!!! Also, you may wish to see a dermatololgist as well.

It sounds to me as if your child need a supervised course of steroids to treat the hives, but you still need to determine the cause.

This physician sounds beyond arrogant and is hiding his own inability to diagnose your child's problem by blaming you. Send your child's records to another physician leave this practice ASAP.

Sharon

[LisaB]

Thank you, Sharon! Unfortunately, the jerk is a pediatric allergist... and as he will tell you, has written a book and been treating hives for 25 years
I am thinking along the same lines as I read the replies... a course of steriods. I trust his pediatrician more than any doctor. He has kids the same age, so is more sensitive to the dynamics. Now how to figure out the cause... Hey Sharon, he was on Orapred for a week at one teaspoon... what is the general length of time a child can be on it? They did get better, but then came back. Even when I give it to him now and then at night (when he is really bad, like last night) it helps a lot.
Thank you all of you for your support and input!!! Keep it coming!!! Still wondering about the plug-in fumes... although I have always had them. Also, these started when we painted his room. The "expert" said that has nothing to do with his hives. Any comments???[/i]

[LisaAnn26]

Benedryl and Hydroxyzine (Atarax) will both help treat the symptoms. Both are antihistamines and will likely make your child sleepy. Atarax is a prescription med. For more info on hives goto this website:
http://www.aaaai.org/patients/allerg.../urticaria.stm
this is the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
As a broad generalization, most of the cases of hives we see are due to food allergies.
Good luck!
Lisa

[Sarah Carpenter]

I would sugest you take him off Dairy until you get his hives cleared up. There are tons of replacements, Soy or Rice or even Almond Milk, Soy yogurt, Soy cheese (I prefer the almond milk cheese). We went off Dairy products over two years ago and havn't been sick since. It will make a huge difference while you try t clear up his system. Also, you might want to find a Chiro or natural Dr who will do some muscle testing. This is a very fast, accurate method of finding out what he's alergic to. Sometimes muscel testing is referred to as a form of keniesology, or Touch For Health.

[demodarla]

Lisa, I totally feel for you and your child. My daughter broke out in HIVES, a very serious case, when she was 12. The hives lasted for 3 months, occasionally causing problems with throat constriction. Katie was checked by may allergists and was poked and pricked until I thought she wouldn't be able to take it any more. She is NOT allergic to anything!!! This has been confirmed over and over again by many professionals. She was finally put on Zyrtec (one pill every day) and that helps most of the time. Katie is now 15 and some days she just brakes out for no apparent reason. On those days she takes benadryl which works wonders but of course, puts her to sleep. I have done extensive research and there are thousands of people who suffer from hives for no apparent medical reason. It is thought that there is an emotional trigger for the hives. Read Jane Pauly's bio about how her persistant hives since childhood were finally linked to a family secret she never even realized.
I pray every day that Katie's hives will one day just never appear again but that seems unlikely. We will keep praying though.

[pamage]

Hi Lisa! I certainly feel for you and your son...the same thing happened to my son back in February. The first GP we went to said it was just "hives," an allergic reaction probably to a favorite wool blanket, and put him on Benadryl. When he kept getting worse we took him back to a different GP, who called in another doctor, and then they started paging through medical books. Turns out my son had erythema multiforme, a somewhat rare allergic reaction to a sulfa medication that he had been on 8 weeks earlier. They put him on antibiotics and it did clear up after about three weeks. Does he have an angry red, blotchy-looking rash? If so, have them check for erythema multiforme right away. I hope it's not that, but wanted to share this info just in case nobody else had mentioned it. My prayers are with you!

[heathery]

This is the first time that I have read any of the posts on this site. I normally do not reply to any posts that I see, however, I wanted to respond to yours. I feel so bad for your little one. I have had SEVERE HIVES for over 5 years now. There is not a day that goes by without me having hives somewhere on my body. I have tried many different doctors and allergy specialists. Hives are not always caused by allergies. They are caused by your immune system reacting to something in your body.

In my case, they have determined that I have Lupus. My body is trying to fight itself. I finally went to a Dermotologist after being told for YEARS that it was caused by allegies. He took one look at my hives (that also turn to blisters) and sent me to a Rheumatologist. I have been much improved since I have started seeing him. Still have the hives, but not as bad. These, I can live with.

MY ADVICE: Do not double up on the meds. See a Dermotologist and take it from there.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your little guy. (By the way, steroids do help, but you have to take the full course of them).

[Tokane4]

I have a son who has had allergy problems from the beginning. When he was first hospitalized, he was given a rass or RAST test. His blood was drawn and they were able to do some allergy testing on his blood for common allergies. This test is not 100 percent accurate, but it does give you a good idea of whether or not he has allergies (which he probably does if you come from a allergy family) before he has to skin tested. My son broke out in hives after eating saltine crackers! The doctors did not know why (maybe a wheat allergy?). He ended up being hospitalized with severe wheezing and got a RASS or RAST test, which showed he was allergic to peanut butter, wheat, milk, eggs and pet dander. He has been on steroid numerous times and outgrown most of his food allergies except eggs and peanut butter. Some of the immunizations and flu shots are also harvested in eggs which could cause an allergic reaction afterwards.
(FYI - there is a steroid called Orapred that is made to taste good for kids. My son can only take this as any other one makes him throw up becasue of a steroid's bitter taste. Your doctor has to write the prescrip-
tion specifically for this and check the DAW box.

You may want to try bathing him in a different soap also. Even the baby magic hypoallergenic soap caused my kids to have hives and/or dry skin.
We use something called Cetaphil wash and Cetaphil lotion. It comes in a private label brand at Rite Aid that is cheaper than the name brand.

Hope this info helps! Oh, and I would fire that allergist also. Look for one that is a pediatric allergist.

[Lconklin]

Okay, here's my two cents worth... I started to have allergies and asthma when I was only six weeks old... I am now 44. I have tried everything from old family remedies to new and improved.

Hives is a tough one... could be food, could be environment, could be almost anything. One thing I did notice with my hives is that taking a bath is hot water really helped the hives. I still occasionaly get them from the bottoms of my feet all the way up to my waist. The only thing I've found to work is an oral cortisone steriod (okay taken in small doses and weaned off very gradually), hot baths and, this is going to sound terrible, but I would scratch my legs until they bled, then they stopped itching (don't recommend that one...). Anyway, I noticed that the hives would be a lot worse when I was stressed. Is your child going through a stressful situation? I think that's a little bit of why the hot bath worked, too. Sitting in the bath would help me to relax.

The best, but long way around this, is to eliminate things one by one from your child's diet, then environment, etc. But, it's a long road... Keep us posted on how you're doing with your problem.

Lauren~

[LisaB]

YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!!! Thanks!!! I have tried most everything... except keeping him on orapred longer than a week. I asked him to be tested for rheumatoid diseases since it runs in our family, but I don't see those results in my copies. Our family is always in transition, so regarding stress, there is always something. Isn't that life?
I had a flashback to when my 18 year old was this age and vaguely remember going to a dermatologist for some skin thing. It turned out to be a rare virus. I am wondering if the 2 are the same... but his did not last 3 months... or 5 years, Heathery!!!! Poor baby!!! I just want to hug you all and make you ALL better!!! I will keep you all in prayer, along with my little guy. Keep looking for that magic cure!!!

[CAStampinMel]

I figured I'd throw my two cents in as well ;)

My husband recently developed an allergy to perfumes and dyes in laundry detergent (including fabric softner and dryer sheets). We have to buy everything dye and scent free in order to prevent him from breaking out in addition to getting hives. The odd thing is only certain detergents will work for him (i.e. Tide vs. All, etc). We also have to get him shampoo, shaving cream, and soap that are all dermatologist recommended and contain no scents or dyes, etc. Aveeno is generally a brand that works great for my DH.

I also had a horrible rash of hives on my legs almost 4 years ago (at the age of 23). The first doctor I went to immediately ran blood tests to check for an autoimmune disease. I also had a lot of joint pain and fevers. It ended up I have Lupus (SLE). There is a large family history of autoimmune disease on both sides of my family. It wasn't until about 2 years ago (when my original rheumatologist switched specialties) that I tried a new doctor and was not happy...I then requested a new rheumatologist and he was great for a while but now it is extremely difficult to get an answer out of him for anything. I guess my point is to definitely request a second, third or even fourth opinion if you need to. There is no reason that you should not receive answers from your or your child's doctor.

-Melissa (stepping off my soapbox ;) )

[crazy4stamps]

I have allergies to a couple drugs and airborn allergies as well. I take zyrtec for the airborn allergies and when I broke out in hives for the drug allergies I was given Benadryl by pill form and cream form. It worked the best for me. A family physician was the one who discovered my allergies. The specialist couldn't figure it out. Go figure...you pay twice as much to a specialist and my regular doctor was the hero. My family doctor was also the only one of 6 doctors that had found my cancer before all the others. If you trust a certain doctor make them understand that hives are a sign something is definately wrong somewhere....it is a signal that the body is trying to fight something off and it can be serious.
My older brother had hives and they didn't know what from for 4 hours and he almost died. He was allergic to bee stings.
I hope you find out what is causing the hives.

[barbaranne_stamps]

I'm sorry that you all have had to go through all of this suffering, especialy the little ones.

LisaB, something you said had me concerned, but of course, I'm not a doctor or pharmacist, so I might not have a clue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LisaB

I have prednisone liquid that I give him when they get really bad (like last night) but I just hate giving that to him... It sure does help though!

From the little bit I've read about Prednisone, you have to wean off from it, so only giving one day might cause a problem, at least that what I thought. I was just prescribed a derivative of it and there were many warnings about not stopping abruptly. I did not take it though because turns out, for me, I would have the possibility of going blind. I'd never be able to stamp again! Not directly blind, by I have a neurological condition that would worsen from the prednisone and the optic nerves would be damaged.

I feel for you with the doc. I had a doc who also was very smart and top in his field (locally anyway) and arrogant. He told me I had MS, then told me to have a nice day and left the room. Never scheduled a test or anything! Luckily I had a great eye doc who figured out the real problem (neurological) and sent me to the right specialists and I got the care I needed.

I hope that you will be able to resolve this problem quickly so the little one can have lots of fun playing and being a kid!

[momma23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by heathery

Hives are not always caused by allergies. They are caused by your immune system reacting to something in your body.

I had hives last year for about nine months and they were miserable! At one time I was taking about 10 different medications to treat them! Heathery is right that not all hives are caused by allergens. Mine was a reaction by my immune system. My immune system was making anitibodies that were attacking my thyroid gland and causing the hives. Thank goodness I had a very smart allergist who realized that was what was causing it and after seeing a dermatologist and rheumatologist, I got better.

You said that your doctor said that 70% of the time, they never know what caused the hives. My doctor told me that it was more like 95%! Ugh! It make you feel soooo hopeless. Hang in there and try the different medications. I found that I had to try different ones until I found the best effect. And make sure that with the Prednisone that you are doing a full course of treatment and not just here and there. That medication has strict guidelines about how to "wean" off the medication to avoid side effects like blood sugar and blood pressure problems. Plus, it's not really effective if you aren't doing it regullarly. I was a nurse before I became a SAHM

Good luck with the treatment. I hope you find something that will help. I know they were miserable as an adult and I can't imagine having them as a child. Keep us updated.

[Dorinda]

just so you know, all free and clear actually caused my DD hives and they were all over her body, we did the Dr's over and over and got pretty much the same answer you did, we did elimination diet also, still hives. Finnally I stripped ALL of her bedding and dumped out every piece of clothing she owned and washed in just plain water NO detergant! Then I double rinsed. The hives went away after that and I have never bought all free again. There was so much risdual suds left in her clothing and sheets etc..It took plain water and several rinses to get it all out. I was in a state of desperation when I did this and it worked now I only use A&H FREE it is the ONLY detergant that will not break her out in hives. If we stay somewhere, where they don't have that brand I have to be sure and double rinse everything.
Try washing everything he comes into contact with in just plain water, and run it on double rinse, it's worth a try.
HTH.....Good Luck

[aeweaver]

I don't know if it's safe for a child, but I ended up taking an herb called Quercetin for my hives. Nothing else worked, except for steroids and both my doctor and I weren't willing to use that as a recurring course of treatment.

My hives just started out of the blue one day. At first I thought it was an allergy, but after test after test after test we couldn't find a single allergen. They did a scratch test on my back, and I wasn't allergic to ANYTHING! I don't know anyone else who's had a test like that and come back 100% negative. I did the elimination diet. I lost 5 pounds, but was allergic to nothing. We even checked to see if I was allergic to my own blood. Thank goodness that one came back negative!

We tried Zyrtec, we tried Allegra, we tried Claritin, we tried Zantac, we tried everything. We ended up using Zyrtec and Allegra together, but the side effects from taking that much medicine was just as bad as the hives. Finally, my doctor told me that it was most likely that the hives were not the result of an actual allergic reaction, but my body mistaking one substance in my blood for another substance that is a signal of an actual allergic reaction (apparently they're very similar), and that my immune system was kicking in as a response.

Since we couldn't get any of the traditional meds to work for me, my doctor told me to give Quercetin a try. I don't usually go out for herbal remedies, since they aren't regulated by the FDA and that's a bit scary for me, but I didn't know what else to do. Let me tell you, it was like the magic pill! I took the Quercetin, and it cleared them up right away! Doc told me to take it every day as a preventative measure, but my father (a biochemist) told me that Quercetin has plant estrogens in it. That's why I would be careful with giving it to a child, but ask your doc and see if small doses would be okay.

[aeweaver]

As if my last post wasn't long enough! I just did a google search on Quercetin and here's the info I found:

http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshel...,10053,00.html

Figured there were enough people following this thread with chronic hives - maybe it could help one of you. It was seriously the only thing that got mine under control. Definitely check with a doc before taking it though.

[Happy Heart]

LisaB
I noticed that you live in Canada. It's a long shot, but I used to get hives whenever I got cold and damp, such as getting into a chilly pool, or doing something stupid like walking out in the snow in bare feet! (Don't ask!) :?
When I first noticed the connection I thought I was crazy, but, when I mentioned it to my doctor, he said it's not an uncommon reaction. I now avoid situations where I could get cold and damp and no longer have a problem.

[iwasborn2stamp]

I used to get hives as a kid.
My mother would dab apple cider vinegar on them with a cotton ball.
It took the itch out.
Smelled funny, but it worked!

NY Nan

[JanTInk]

The stuff that caused my first break out was Formby's Lemon Oil Furniture Treatment. My MIL had recommended it to me as a way of cleaning the lime off my shower doors. I used it once and had hives all over my face. They didn't itch really, just tingled and swelled up so I looked awful! After that I thought I should wear gloves when I used it and I got an even worse reaction. So it was definitely the fumes.

And shortly after that I had a break-out when I took a new vinyl tablecloth out of the package...that new car smell did the same thing!

[barbaranne_stamps]

I only ever had hives once; from Formby's Lemon Oil.

[LisaB]

Hey, lemon oil is a distinct possibility... I don't use it often, though, but that may mean nothing. I am also switching from All Free & Clear back to Arm & Hammer!
Happy Heart: Barefoot in the snow sounds like something I would do! I live in Southern California - at the beach. Bare feet come naturally.
Nan: My oldest son is in the military and suggests "Put mud on it and press on" - It would smell better than cider vinegar...
I have done about everything suggested... I am going to ask the doctor on Friday about Quercetin... I do prefer natural methods.
My little guy is doing better today than he has in 3 months! I owe it all to the prayers sent up for him!!! Let us all pray for all those splitcoaststampers who are suffering from hives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!