Ds's zyrtec is making no difference this time.

[nearlyfourbob]

Ds was at a birthday party today - but I watched him carefully and he only had approved food, which hadn't been contaminated at all.

But it was at a campsite and it could have been environmental - though it was only around 7km from where we live.

He is now covered in a red itchy layer of skin, like one humongous hive basically, even his armpits and eyeballs are affected.

I have given him a whole zyrtec tablet today (twice the recommended dose). January 2nd is a public holiday here, so there are no doctors who know what they are doing on duty, but I did check with a pharmacist before giving him the second half of the tablet.

She wanted him to have another antihistamine - but he can't have one of the ones we have here and the other tablets aren't licensed for children, only the syrups which he can't have because he reacts to the other crap they put in.

He's okay in himself - but is very tired from the zyrtec. So I guess I just wait and see what he looks like in the morning, and take him to A&E if he gets worse.

[yawningmonster]

I found zyrtec only useful in early stages of reaction. Phenegan (sp) usually does the trick in this house hold...is he really nearly four...phew time whizzes by!

[nearlyfourbob]

He is allergic to Phenergan, which is quite funny really (though not in a hilarious way), watching the antihistamine trying to beat off the reaction to the antihistamine.

He has gone to sleep now, bright red and with a temp of 39.5 but absolutely peaceful.

[mymama]

How long since you gave the zyrtec? Is his skin the only reaction?

Hate reactions where you can't find the culprit.

The temp is also a little concerning isn't it? Does he normally get a temp with an allergic reaction?

[nearlyfourbob]

Sometime he gets really out of it, and then we go to the doctors, but if he seems well in himself we keep him home as a bouncy 3 year old doesn't get much attention from a doctor even if he is covered in one continuous hive!

The temp is normal for him - but nobody has ever explained why. A year ago I would have been dragging him off to A&E - now I just keep a close eye on him.

[mymama]

You know your own child.

My experience with A&E doctors is "hmmm, he seems to be allergic to something" . Oh does he? Well I would never have guessed.

[nearlyfourbob]

I slept with him in the spare bed and apart from some flailing and shouting he had a good night. He looks better this morning - but we are letting him sleep it off.

[mymama]

good to hear he is looking better.

[tatt]

our consultant told us once we could give twice the normal dose of piriton in an emergency. They might also agree your child should be given a tablet not licensed for children. It would be worth checking it our ready for the next time.

Glad he's looking better today.