hives on toddler

we noticed some spots on DD this morning- they looked like bug bites on her torso, legs, and arms. they were spread out at first, and different sizes, but more like the sizes of bug bites than hives. I called the dr immediately and made an appointment for this afternoon. By the time we got there, they had spread a lot- still looked the same- like random bug bites. The doctor said they were definitely hives and not chickenpox (which was what i was concerned about). She said that there were 3 possibilities for the hives-
1) viral infection, but she said it was unlikely since she has no cold symptoms
2) reaction to something she ate or was exposed to- not likely since we haven't left the house in days and she hasn't eaten anything new
3) sometimes kids get unexplained hives- it can last up to a week with no known cause

i guess i'm just kinda confused because the only kind of hives i've ever seen are the small bumps that surface like a rash- i've never seen hives that look like randomly spread out insect bites. She's never had hives before. Has anyone seen hives like this and were they really hives? we're going to give her benadryl before bed and see if that helps at all.

[peekawho]

That's exactly what I was going to say.  Try some benadryl and see if it gets any better.  

Otherwise, yes, some kids just get rashy.  

BTW, chicken pox can start out just like that, with the bug bite looking things, and then in a day or two it can blossom into the typical chicken pox.   So don't be surprised if it turns into that.  Probably not, since the doc didn't seem to think so, but I remember my kids having some weird "bite" looking things right before they broke out in chicken pox.  

[tiredbuthappy]

that's why i thought chicken pox at first- i was thrilled because i would rather she get a mild case of chicken pox than the vaccine, but also concerned because i am pregnant (although i did have it as a child)

i am beginning to believe the hives theory because it is sooo much worse. more spots, just bigger, redder, and more swollen. they are no longer perfect little circles because they are inflamed. the doctor said the hives should move and come and go. they just keep coming, staying, and getting bigger. we gave benadryl and noticed no improvement an hour later. i'm putting her to bed, but I probably won't sleep well. if it's worse, i'll take her back tomorrow.
i'm uploading a picture. if any experienced mommies have seen hives like this, let me know!

[peekawho]

Yeah, I just saw your photo.  They are big spots, for sure!  Is she itchy?  Cranky?  Fever?  Coughing or runny nose, diarrhea?

Did she eat anything new or different in the last day or two?

[tiredbuthappy]

that's what's weird- not cranky, feverish, no cough, nothing... it doesn't even seem to itch her. if she is naked she'll kinda pick at it, but she doesn't seem bothered by it. hasn't eaten anything different- we haven't even left the house in the past 2 days (due to lazy pregnant narcolepsy).
it actually looks much better today. same spots in same places, but much smaller and less inflamed. DH wants me to give her benadryl again this morning, but i want to wait and see if they fade more on their own. i drive him crazy- he's the pharmacist and told me what he would tell anyone, but for some reason i don't always listen to him. wonder if i'd listen if another pharmacist told me the same thing...

[1nana]

Glad to hear she's not any worse.

Ha, ha, I know exactly what you mean about DH. He's a husband first, so of course you're not going to take his advice. And yes, I do believe you would take the same advice from another pharmacist.

[RockRose]

tired,  I'm surprised your doc ruled out chicken pox so quickly.  If she's better today,  obviously that's not the case,  but the pic from yesterday looked like very early chicken pox to me - before they form the little bubble blister thing.

Sounds like she's better today,  though,  good thing.