Chronic hives

[Momof3dm]

My otherwise healthy 9 year old has been suffering from chronic hives for about 6 months (anywhere between 3-6 times a week).  Allergy tests were not helpful.   He was not allergic to anything specific.  Although the control area did show a reaction to something.  The hives are occasionally accompanied with mild swelling on the extremities and they are extremely itchy.  We are now checking for autoimmune disorders.  Results are not in yet.  Hopefully this is not it.  Oddly he typically only gets the hives between 4-10 pm.  Never in the morning or early afternoon.   Benadryl is very effective.  The hives disappear after the Benadryl within 30 min and don't come back for that day.  But unfortunately it makes him drowsy.  And the idea of having to take Benadryl daily forever is not comforting.  We have changed to dye free everything, changed filters, etc.  

Has anyone ever experienced anything similar?

[Momof3dm]

So it turns out that he had Epstein Virus or Mono (6-9 months ago) and they think this is what triggered the hives.  Oddly enough, he never showed any symptoms for Mono.  Right now, he is taking zyrtec nightly and that is keeping the hives at bay.  If we miss a dose, he gets the hives.  They tell us this could go on for about a year.  We are also keeping an eye on his thyroid bc the antibodies were high, even though the other thyroid levels per perfect.
The doctor explained it happens at night b/c your temperature increases a tiny bit at night which triggers the hives.

[scepticull]

I find it strange he gets them at certain times of the day. Maybe something he comes in contact with at that time. Wondering if it's everyday of the week. My daughter was allergic to eucalyptus and it took us a few months to figure it out. There was a plant arrangement with it in it.

[scepticull]

I find it strange he gets them at certain times of the day. Maybe something he comes in contact with at that time. Wondering if it's everyday of the week. My daughter was allergic to eucalyptus and it took us a few months to figure it out. There was a plant arrangement with it in it.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hi, understand your predicament. Chronic hives can be caused by an immune system (autoimmune) disorder, such as thyroid disease or lupus. Rarely, a reaction to medication, food, food additives, insects, parasites or infection is identified as an underlying cause of chronic hives. It is usually diagnosed by blood tests to detect raised IgE levels, allergy skin tests and tests to rule out the underlying cause for the hives. So, the result of the tests done may help to identify the cause.

But in most cases, the cause of chronic hives is never identified, even after testing and monitoring symptoms. Heat, cold, pressure, sunlight or other environmental stimuli may worsen chronic hives. Certain pain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox, others), also can worsen chronic hives.

So, continue with Benadryl, over time people develop tolerance to the sedative side effect of benadryl. And good luck with his therapy. Regards.