Help. URGENT. DD covered in rash

[josiecat]

DD(7) has been getting hives daily for months now. Have seen GP and allergy clinic at hospital both just advised taking antihistamines. Today she was unwell and sent home from school with headache and a temp. Gave calpol and she improved, temp down. Hives developed with temp, has happened before. Gave antihistamines at 4pm. Hives are still red and itchy, have put calamine lotion on but can't give any more antihistamines. She can't sleep and is v uncomfortable. What do we do? is it worth taking her to A & E? Any advice appreciated.

Have you had any joy from NHS Direct? I called them earlier after dd ate a houseplant but they were taking urgent calls only.

I would take her to A&E if she seems poorly. They take children with rashes and temperatures quite seriously.

Is there any swelling of the throat, difficulty talking or laboured breathing?

Thanks for replies. NHS direct still only taking urgent cases. Have filled in initial assessment online so they may call back, could be 5 hours tho.Her breathing is ok. She does have asthma, had her inhaler as usual before bed and ok. She's just very itchy and uncomfortable and huge raised red patches all over, especially her torso. some smaller patches on arms and spots on her face. She's really tired but just can't sleep. Its so frustrating as cool flannel and calamine only gives relief for a few minutes, then she's scratching like mad again.

We've tried to guess so many times what she could be reacting to. It seems to be chronic hives for some reason. It is particularly bad when she's unwell, like today.

What anti histamine did you give her? I know when dd1 had bad hayfever I had given her loratadine (claratyn) and when I took her to a&e they gave piriton. You should get proper advice on this though.

She's asleep now so hopefully we can make it through to 4am when we can give her more antihistamine if necessary. She's been having citirazine(benadryl) 2x a day for months now. its very strange. Wish we knew whats causing it. It looks awful when it flairs up like tonight into huge patches. its usually smaller itchy lumps. thanks for advice.

i think it would be reasonable to take her to A&E if the hives are very widespread and not improving with Benadryl.

obviously watch out for swelling (anywhere), sudden weakness, vomiting and difficulty breathing.

i'm pretty certain that illness is the most common trigger in children. did she have a virus when she started getting the hives in the first place? it can take weeks for hives to completely go away after they start. often they come and go for a while...