UPDATE: should I give benedryl?

[Wugmama]

I feel like a copycat. First Chlobo posts about her son having a rash, now my dd has a rash. Why does it seem like things go in steaks around this forum?

My dd has a rash on her trunk, front and back. They are small raised bumps. Usually when she gets hives them come on very suddenly, but these came more slowly and were worse the next day than the first. Last night I put her zinc/clay lotion on them, they seem somewhat better, and she slept pretty well for her, a couple of three hour stints in between nursing. But there may be some new ones in locations that didn't get the lotion, but I'm not sure.

I hate that the benedryl has corn in it, and I believe that to be one of her triggers. So far I haven't managed to track down the local compounding walgreens to get a corn free version. Plus I'm not sure about how damaging benedryl may be in general.

I wonder also what the culprit was. I bought a beef broth in a carton (I usually never use it) and the last ingredient was "natural flavors". I should've known better. I *think* it was imagine brand. I *hope* that was what it was.

Also, I made soup w/navy beans. She has soup, not a bean though, but still, and I ate the soup.

Other than that could've been something she ate off the floor. Hopefully it isn't something new. Overall I feel like she has improved because she has gotten a hold of diary, wheat and corn in recent months and not broken out in immediate hives. The only think I know that does that immediately is tomatoes.

TIA,
Tracy

[momma_c]

so your dd has had the rash for a little bit now? i think i am reading that right. if it were me i would say no benadryl. #1 because there is corn in it and #2 because it really is no good for her. the only time i would say it was warranted was if it was right after she had eaten something and you did not have an epi pen or she was having a pretty bad reaction but not quite anaphylactic. if the rash seems pretty manageable for her i would just try baths with maybe baking soda and lotion her up with some safe lotions, keep her undressed or lightly dressed too. if she is allergic or sensitive to corn the benadryl may only make things worse.
and she does not have a fever? just to be sure this is a reaction.. ya know?
i would also say natural flavors could very well be related to corn if not soy or some other vegetabley source.

[WuWei]

Chicken pox? sniffles or fever along with it, by chance?


ETA: want to post a photo?

If they seem "worse", fluid filled, hive-ish, I'd consider the benedryl going into night time. Have you ever given it before with any problems? Ideally, I'd want to trial it in the daytime, first dose. Just not able to watch her as closely, with or without the benedryl at night, however. s

Did you redose her remedy recently? It could be an aggravation.

Pat

[Chinese Pistache]

I'm sorry We're dealing with new rashes, too. We've been outside a lot the past few days and dd's been eating more fruit (salicylates) lately. The outside plants/grass/trees are what really got her, though. She's got weird bubbly clusters of bumps on her legs and arms. We'll be staying in for a while. I've slacked on giving supps, clo, kefir, probiotics, etc. so we need to get back on that asap.

With a non-sudden reaction like your dd's, I'd probably wait on the benadryl, but do what you've gotta do. I gave dd benadryl a couple months ago, and even though she's corn allergic, she was no worse for the wear and it helped her over the hump of a bad allergy day (we've been initiated into the world of seasonal allergies, unfortunately).

[WuWei]

Here's an old post of mine about addressing environmental allergens. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...n#post13719101
Here is a link with more information about eliminating airborne allergens: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...l#post12748820


Pat

[Wugmama]

Not sure if I'll get a photo up today or not. But def not chix pox. They are clustered very close together, pretty exclusively on her trunks with only some on upper arms and just few on upper thighs. Very small bumps, diameter not much bigger than the ball on the end of a pin. No fluid. She has been sick though with a cold and bad runny nose. I think she had a fever at the beginning - we attributed it to teething, but now last night my boy had a fever, and our nanny had a fever this weekend as well.

I hope it isn't environmental. don't know what I can do about that. Guess I'll have to check out Pat's links!

I realized I've been slacker about supps too lately.

Baby never got a remedy, only us older 4. Now that my dh is employed again, or will be very shortly, I'm planning on contacting barefootmama. Thanks so much for that info Pat!

~Tracy

[*mama moose*]

a cold and fever right before and spots on the trunk after the fever broke sounds like roseola to me! I hope its not a reaction

[deditus]

Hey Tracy - I think there's something "going around" the area, whether it's a pollen or virus although I'm leaning toward virus. Dd is broken out, too, with no new foods or digestive complaints, and this is widespread on her stomach, buns, calves, and arms. Not like the patches she gets from food.

[Wugmama]

Wow, this does sound like Roseola now that I just read up on it. I hope that was it! She still has the rash and I broke down and gave her benedryl a couple of hours ago. Now sitting up w/my little guy who is running a fever.

[Wugmama]

So I still don't feel like the baby's skin has fully recovered from the roseola. I feel like she must be deficient in something or reacting to something. She had blood on her P.J.s on the shoulder from scratching two nights ago.

I guess I should try to get the CLO into her every night at least.

I hadn't realized it has been since the middle of May until I dug up this thread.

Tracy