Hives after being outside

[Raindancer411]

Hi all, my 10 year old came for a walk today and it was about 6C but felt chilly out. When we got to a shop he said his thighs itched (I get this sometimes when I am walking outside but not any welts). Went into another shop and his cheeks were a bit red, and when I looked he had hives a over his checks and to his ears, and one on his nose. He carried epi pens for a dairy allergy but had not eaten or touched anything, but said we best go home in case.

When we got home, he was obviously panicking and said was his breathing ok, and to me it sounded fine but only he could tell. Once we were indoors and relaxed a bit and the rash was going down and completely gone an hour later.

Obviously I am worrying about another allergy and risk of anaphylaxis.

Anyone else's child has the same?

My dd had hives a few years ago. It was in warmer weather though after being outside. It happened a few times. We couldn't identify the issue, tried new washing powder, fabric conditioner, different clothes in case it was material, different suncream, avoiding sun. The doctor advised loratadine when it happened and this worked well. After about 4 - 6 weeks it stopped and has not returned. I was very concerned too as she has some allergies and I have severe allergies.

Dairy is so ubiquitous I'd be suspicious of cross contact with something he ate earlier in the day.

I know the "classic" allergic reaction happens very quickly after eating but this isn't always the case.

It could also be a viral thing he's coming down with, unrelated to allergies.

Hot and cold urticaria is definitely a thing, and maybe he's developing this now he's coming up to puberty?

My son had this and was absolutely covered in hives over the period of 2 hours. It was actually quite scary to look at. Called GP who amazingly saw us immediately and said that after that period of time if no breathing difficulties had arisen then not to worry. Urgent referral for RAST test and all came back clear. Was just one of those things so hopefully the same for your little one.

I get hives all of the time and for no particular reason. The latest being at the salon, still can't pinpoint what caused the reaction. My doc said some people who already have allergies will just have a compromised immune system, and it will flare up if it detects any forgein substances or even slight allergies. When they happen I take my prescribed antihistamine and they usually resolve on their own within an hour or two.
I also get hives when I'm really hot 🤷‍♀️ apparently my body cannot cope with that haha

I would definitely give him his antihistamine when you see that developing as it will ease it and stop him getting into a panic. Would he have run his hand along some grass or a ditch where a plant would cause him an issue. Some children with allergies are extremely sensitive to grass. Was anyone cutting a lawn nearby?
He might need to get a complete allergy test just to make sure.

1. Get a GP appointment to check for allergy to cold - it needs checking as can be serious www.healthline.com/health/cold-allergy - anaphylaxis is possible
2. In the meantime carry antihistamines
3. Wrap him up much warmer when out - buy long johns - as better to get a bit warm than have this again

The symptoms sound like cold urticaria to me - from the linked article:
The medical term for hives that form on the skin when it’s exposed to the cold is cold urticaria (CU). A severe acute allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, is possible if you have CU.

Dd used to get them from the sun, I have a milder form. Antihistamines daily through the summer or even in winter if likely to be outside for long reduced symptoms and she grew out of it by 6

Some years ago I came up in a rash during sunbathing, about 5 minutes about noon. The sun felt different and I wondered if it was a solar storm. I checked and it was a quiet year so wrote that off as a silly idea, until the next day when the paper reported an unexpected solar storm. There may be more UV light for a while after Monday's event.

Thanks all, I will do an online form to the Dr on Monday (There new system rather than calling). We just went down to the shops again and he was ok in the first (which wasn't warm) and when in the second (warmer), he started to come up. He has had some piriton but he is so hard to get to take it.

Hoping it's a short term thing as he is worrying (and of course I am as well but trying to keep that too myself) about it being forever bless him.

Forgot to say he hadn't touched anything and kept his hands mainly on his pockets the whole time.