50 answers

6 Month Old Breaking Out in Hives

Recently, my son has been sick with the typical cold type virus going around. He also had an ear infection and went on amoxicillin. He did fine with it until about 7 days in to it he broke out in a rash on his bottom and then the next day on his cheeks. He already did have a bit of eczema all over his body. I took him to the dr. and he said it didn't look like an allergic reaction to anything, but could just be a flare up of eczema. But then a couple days later, my when he woke up, he had hives all over his thighs. We had finished the amoxicillin 2 days before that, but I was now taking it for a sinus infection, so he was still getting some from breastfeeding. And he has been breaking out in hives for 2 days now on and off through the day. So I did a short trial of just giving him formula instead of breastmilk and that didn't seem to make a difference, he's not breaking out right after I feed him, it seems pretty random. So my initial thoughts of the hives being due to an allergic reaction to amoxicillin does not seem to be true. I also stopped giving him solid food for the time being, he wasn't that in to it yet anyway. I called my Dr. office when he first broke out in hives, and they said that if it happens once or twice it was ok, but if it persists then they want to know about it. Well of course it is now a weekend and have to wait until Monday to call them again. He doesn't have a fever, and he's not overdressed to become overheated. Has anyone experienced these kinds of symptoms with their child? Is it an allergy? Or is he just still fighting off this virus?

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So What Happened?™

Thank you everyone for such a vast array of responses. This website is amazing, it really is comforting to know all this support is available. The good news is, the hives are gone. I talked to the dr. today and he did tell me that a virus can cause hives in babies. He said that since he has been sick for a few weeks, the immune system is broken down and the body is fighting it off the best it can and sometimes a virus can cause an "allergic" reaction. He did not think it was the amoxicillin since he was off it for 2 days before the hives started and the amount in my breastmilk probably isn't enough to set off a reaction. But he did note it in my chart and we may look at an alternative next time he needs an antibiotic just in case. And I hadn't changed laundry detergent or soaps or anything in my diet so I don't believe it is an allergic reaction since he no longer has the hives. So I have continued breastfeeding and he is doing much better. Thanks also for all the tips on how to treat eczema.

Featured Answers

My son has eczema - the thing that helps the most is raw coconut oil (like from a healthfood store). It helps his skin heal faster and keeps his skin moist. Lotions didn't work nearly as well.

1 mom found this helpful

I know this is late but wanted to add my two cents also on eczema. My three yr old has a mild case. Has had it since a few months after birth. I use the Renew skin lotion by Meleluca. It makes his skin as soft as a newborns! It is the only thing I have found that helps.
Pls it helps my dry cracked heels! So thats an added bonus!!!

I haven't had this problem with my daughter, but thought maybe I could offer some advice. If it is his eczema flaring up...I know several people who have children with eczema. They were using all kinds of prescription meds to try to keep it under control. They switched the kinds of products they were using in their homes for cleaning and personal care, like laundry soap and lotions with tea tree oil or Melaleuca oil. And the now their kids rarely have problems with eczema if at all. I switched my shopping too and now Emilee isn't breaking out with diaper rashes and skin irratiations like she was. I'm a happy customer I can get you more information about the products if you like. Just let me know. I hope that this helps.-
J.-Mom of Emilee, 8 1/2 Months

More Answers

Hi D.,
I personally have broken out in hives a few times taking amoxicillin, mostly on my arms, thighs and chest. I've never had to give my 3 year old an antibiotic but if I probably wouldn't use anything in that family just to be safe. If your little one has hives or is still sick I would request a different antibiotic if he needs it and keep him away from that family of drugs. Another thing, my father never had a reaction to that family of meds until he had to take them again recently and this time his throat closed and he had to be rushed to urgent care. From my understanding a severe reaction can develop at any time so I would keep him away from it. Also, Aveeno makes a great baby wash and lotion for eczema that can help with he itch. keep in contact with your doctor and trust your gut.

good luck :)

1 mom found this helpful

Hi D.! You are a very wise mother. Your gut instinct is telling you something is wrong, but you cannot find anyone to confirm your instincts. I, too, had a son who got a "virus" at six months and took an AB for it. He, like your son, got a rash. Let's look at the word AntiBiotic... Anti means against, Bio means life. Like Biology is the study of Life, right? So we have a very interesting word, Against Life. Notice this is not Against Virus, or Against Bacteria, or Against Fungus. Those 3 attack the human body. No, this is Against Life, our life, the life of your son. Anti-biotics attack our immune system and they are VERY, VERY dangerous. They can be very good for someone who needs them, but, not for simple things as an ear infection! In our intestines we have good bacteria and we have bad bacteria often called yeast. AB kill the good bacteria and the yeast overtake the system. I suspect the rash is yeast. Do NOT stop nursing this baby, but DO STOP EATING ALL SUGAR. Have you ever heard of such things as I am talking about? Some people are not open to alternative health, some are very interested. If this interests you, please e-mail me, I can help you to help your son get over this. I support your instinct that you need to do something, indeed, your instinct is sound. Please, seek help for your precious boy elsewhere. Western medicine does not have the answer for THIS problem. May God bless you and give you wisdom to help your baby.
M.
PS. Forgot to mention acidophyllis and bifidus. They make a powder for infants of live cultures that will help to replace the good bacteria and help your sons immune system to fight. This is food, it comes naturally in yogurt, but you cannot get enough to replace the damage from AB in yogurt, have to take a supplement. Like I said, this will give you a start, but if you are interested, message me back.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi D.,
Lots of good responses. I agree with the mothers who suggested to change ALL your Laundrey( including softener), and cleaning products. Check out the Shaklee GET CLEAN line. Shaklee is one of the first companies to go Green when Green wasn't popular(1956) . www.shakleegetclean.com/goodhealthconcepts
I also agree that taking (or giving) your baby Omega-3's and pre-and pro-biotics is VERY effective in treating Exzema.
Good luck! You can contact me for more info at ____@____.com.

Michelle

1 mom found this helpful

The first question to ask would be whether this rash is really bothering your son a lot. Of course, if your son develops breathing distress or other symptoms such as vomiting in conjunction with his rash, you should take him for urgent care right away. My children both had eczema, and I understand your concern.

If the rash is indeed bothering him, but there are no other disconcerting symptoms, you can try putting him in an oatmeal bath to reduce inflammation or rubbing coconut oil into his skin to help him feel more comfortable.

It may be hard to tell if his rash is allergen-related until you are finished with your antibiotics. Your doctor will be able to arrange a test to see if he is allergic to amoxicillin later if you decide together that you want to do that.

Results from doing things like changing laundry detergents and/or removing suspected allergens from his diet will also be more clear after the antibiotics are done.

Another thing to consider is that viruses can often cause rashes, and antibiotics won't do a thing to change that. As with most other viruses, the body's immune system can overcome the infection in time and the rash will go away on its own if this is the case. However, it could take some time.

If your son does turn out to be allergic to amoxicillin there are other classes of antibiotics that he will still be able to use, but you will probably want to save them for when he really needs them.

One more thing to note, recent studies have indicated that antibiotics do not help ear infections heal faster, and may actually contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant "super bugs". Check out this link:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/child_hea...

The homeopathic remedies Chamomilla and Belladonna have been extremely helpful for treating acute ear infections and reducing pain. I have used them for myself and my children with terrific results. You can buy them in 6x or 12x easily at any good health food store.

Best of luck and happy healing to you!

1 mom found this helpful

What you are describing is an Amoxicillin allergy. Doctors are horrible about admitting that someone could be allergic to something if it doesn't involve swelling and even then they don't want to admit it. I am severely allergic to Penicillin and Amoxicillin. When I was 2 I received Penicillin for an ear infection. Hives showed up a few days later. The doctors didn't take my mom seriously. Then right after that my foot and leg swelled. They had my mom rush me to the hospital because of that. I was told that I am allergic to Penicillin and need to be treated for it. Amoxicillin causes a minor reaction compared to Penicillin. If your son is getting hives there is a very good chance he is allergic to Penicillin as well, especially if he is getting the hives because of Amoxicillin in the breast milk. Please take your child into the doctor today. I would never give him Amoxicillin again. I wear a Medic Alert bracelet because of the allergies. My friend's 5 year old daughter just went through this a few months ago. Mild hives and then her throat started swelling, she had to be rushed to the ER. There are other drugs you and your child could take that work just as well as Amoxicillin. I take Keflex when Penicillin or Amoxicillin is recommended, I guess it is listed as something for people allergic to the drugs related to Penicillin. Also, doctors will listen to you if you are strong about it. Doctors seem to think that a little discomfort is ok, but you need to decide if it is ok for your child. When my daughter was 9 months she came down with Pneumonia. I was worried about the Amoxicillin allergy so they gave her something different. It turned out that drug was causing her to throw-up right after taking it and I had to argue that even though it is not technically an allergy I still did not want her taking that drug. It only took a minute on the phone and they phoned in a prescription for Amoxicillin, which it turned out was ok for her. With so many medications out there your child has other options than one that gives him hives.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi D.,
The Amoxicillin is probably the culprit. It is horrible stuff for hives. I know adults who break out in hives when they take that anti-bioic. But, the thing that I want to talk to you about is the excema. I finally found out something that works. It will only keep it at bay, it won't take it away because nothing will. Anyway, get some Omega 3 fatty acids. Fish Oil to be exact. Break it open and put 1/2 of the liquid in your baby's bottle.You will notice a hugh difference. 2 babies in my family have it (badly) and this keeps it at bay. Don't use any of the creams your doc might give you. Some of them have steroids in them. But, fish oil is just a natural product and Omega 3's are good for you anyway. Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful

My initial thought is that it is an allergic reaction to something he is getting through your breastmilk - or even topically. I have a daughter with servere peanut/tree nut allergies and also has eczema. I know it sounds crazy but babies can't break down the peanut protein in their systems when they are little so you shouldn't give certain things, like peanuts, to them until they are three. And I was told to stay away from peanuts while I was pregnant and nursing. Look into what you are eating to see if he is having a reaction to that. Are you eating anything with peanuts. Is he getting any of it on his skin? Anyway, can you give Benadryl? Also, is there something that is rubbing on his skin that might be irritating him? New laundry detergent, etc.? What about wheat products that he's ingesting? I would guess it's an allergy from my experience. National Jewish has been a good place for my daughter and all of her allergies. While my daughter fought off a virus she had cankor (sp) sores in her mouth, but I've never heard of hives from a virus. Are they actually hives or just red, pimply, raised sores? There's a difference. Hope this helps. Sorry it's so choppy.

1 mom found this helpful

My son has eczema - the thing that helps the most is raw coconut oil (like from a healthfood store). It helps his skin heal faster and keeps his skin moist. Lotions didn't work nearly as well.

1 mom found this helpful

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