4 year old has hives

So on Sat morning my 4 year old started getting itchy hives all over her body, including in her who-who.  I have been giving her benadryl and am taking her to the pediatrician this afternoon, but does anyone know what it could be from?  I haven't changed soaps or detergents and she isn't eating anything different.  Like I said they pop up EVERYWHERE.  She seems to get a lot more on the back of her neck and behind her ears than anywhere else.  She had been on anitibiotics, but stopped on Sat and still has the hives.  Could she be allergic, or would the hives have gone away when I stopped the meds?  Also, we have cats, could she have become allergic to them?  Would the allergy manifest itself in the skin only, or would she be sneezy and have itchy eyes:?  Thanks for your help.... Can't wait to get her to the doc's, I feel so bad for her.

[Crritter]

They look so scary on little ones, my son got them out of the blue one night, during the superbowl.  At first I thought mosquito bite, then it got huge and I thought some more and realized it was way too early for that.  By the time I called the oncall ped, he was covered and the hives were so big one went all the way around his arm.  He was 1 & 1/2 , but still awful.  They had us do Benadryl, and Carson was on an antibiotic, so we had to stop til he was seen.  He didn't react right away, it was closer to the end of the course.  When I reacted to an antibiotic, it was at the end of the course too.  My throat swelled and I was not able to swallow the big ol pill, which was good I guess.  Did the hives just appear, or have they been there for a few days?  I would think you would have seen the hives at least by Sat. if they were from the antibiotic.  Just keep up the Benadryl and good luck at the Dr.,could be allergies too.  

[littlewoman361]

Hives usually always mean an allergic reaction: i am not a doctor but every house needs benedryl !

[GNicole]

My daughter also recently developed hives. They started on Thursday and they come and go. I took her to the doc on Thursday and he is not sure what they are from. I am giving her Benadryl as needed but they come and go. I haven't used anything new (soap, detergent, diapers etc.) she does not take any meds and I haven't started any new foods. It is a mystery and it looks like I am going to have to take her back to the pediatrician tomorrow. The doc did say it could be something viral causing the hives.  Good luck to you!  :)

[Logan206]

I just went thru this with my 1 yr old son.  We are nearly certain it was an allergy to amoxicillin that he was taking for an ear infection.  He only had 2 days left of the meds when the hives appeared.  Also, this was not his first time on on the antibiotic.  He'd had a full course a few months ago and had no reaction.  My older DD is also allergic and had been on daily low does of the amox for 6 months before any hives appeared.  Hives can be unpredictable in that way.

Benadryl is probably all you need.  If any breathing issues or face swelling, call 911.

[mami1323]

Greta I just thought of something and it might be the same for 110279hld...could they have been biten by a bug?  Maybe a mosquito or something of that nature.  I know that I had serious allergies to insect bites.  Although, I'm not sure if it would have spread like that all over.  

[GNicole]

Possibly-I am just baffled because they come and go. I have horrible allegies to just about everything. I am just hoping that Avery doesn't have to suffer like I did/do. Thanks for the thought! :)

[mami1323]

I have severe allergies as well.  I was taking shots for a while but when I got pregnant and scheduling doctors appointments on top of going every week for the shot I just had to give it up.  I take Allegra D now and it seems to help.  I'm allergic to everything.

[110279hld]

Well, we went to the docs and this is what they said..
She has a vaginal yeast infection from the antibiotics she was on.  The yeast infection is causing her to break out in hives. She is now on a cream for the yeast infection and an oral steroid.  UGH!!!  She does NOT do well on steriods - she gets all crazy-like and drives me nuts!  Oh well, anything to get her feeling better.

[mami1323]

Well at least you got an answer.  Poor thing.  I know how yeast infections are and at least I'm an adult.  Could you imagine a baby going through that.  How uncomfortable.  How long does she need to be on the steroids for?

[110279hld]

I know, i feel so bad!!!  I can NOT stand having a yeast infection and she had it for 3 days and I didn't do anything.  I feel like such a horrible mother.  But at least she is getting treated now. She is on the steroids for 5 days.

[mami1323]

You are not a horrible mother at all.  You actually got her the help she needed.  With hives it's hard to tell.  It could be anything.  I would never have guessed a yeast infection.  I would have thought an allergic reaction and would've waited to see if they went away on their own.  I'm sure your doctor wanted you to wait it out as well so don't feel so bad.