h1n1 shot reaction - hives

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is 12 and had the shot on November 4th. It is now December 2 and is still having the hives. I am wondering if it could be the shot the has caused these hives or something else.

I'm not a doctor, but I can't see how a shot is likely to continue to produce an allergic reaction a month later. I would go to an allergist to rule out other allergies, or at least start with your pediatrician. I think that a month of hives necessitates a doctor's visit, whichever you go to first.

I agree. A month seems like a long time... I'm more inclined to think it's something else.

[Anonymous]

What people also need to realize is that one can become allergic to anything at any time. Even having been previously NOT allergic to it in the past -- you can be fine with a drug for 20 years and then develop an allergy to it. So just because, for ex., you took penicillin 20x in the past and were fine, while it's unlikely, it IS possible to become allergic to it on the 21st time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder whether it's the virus, not the shot. My DS, who has never had hives, had the H1N1 virus in late October - home from school for a full week, high fever, etc. One week after that he started developing hives on his extremeties, usually made worse by hot water (bath or shower). Benadryl helps temporarily, but they come back. There were no changes in soap, detergent, cleaners, etc. I'm wondering whether it's an odd aftereffect of having H1N1 flu.

Ya know, I think there might be something to this. I have had 3 friends whose kids have had hives in the past month or so. None have had the vaccine. I am wondering if it's just some virus that is causing them (like any other virus they get) and/or the H1N1 virus itself can cause hives in some people. Perhaps the "novelty" of the virus and our bodies react like it's an allergy (i.e., histimine response) bc it's so "novel"? I dunno, but I DO think it's notable that oddly enough, I have heard of these hive cases and it made me think of this thread.

Did they receive the seasonal flu vaccine by any chance, or are they completely flu "vaccine-free?"

I broke out into hives twice in my life, and both times these breakouts lasted MONTHS. With both cases, the doctors ruled out everything, gave me antihistamines (I have no allergies.), and told me they were stress-related.

***** Below is some information on this nasty condition (http://www.drgreene.com/21_822.html):

Over the last few weeks, I've received a "rash" of hives questions from across the United States. What might this cluster mean?

Hives are an outward sign of a whole-body hypersensitivity reaction. About 20% of people will experience hives at some point in their lives. Wheals or welts come and go on the skin or mucous membranes, and may itch intensely. Each typically has a whitish, raised plaque of skin surrounded by a reddish halo. The welts may be tiny or large, and may be all over the body or confined to one area. The individual welts often disappear quickly, and are usually gone within 48 hours, although new ones may continue to appear for quite some time.

Hives occur when the body's capillaries and tiny veins get leaky. Fluid escaping from some of these blood vessels gets trapped in parts of the skin and lining membranes of the body, causing the localized swelling in the hives. This leakiness can be caused by classic allergic reactions in which histamine triggers an inflammatory response. It can also be caused by a number of other regulatory systems in the body in response to different types of triggers.

The most common allergic triggers are drugs (especially antibiotics), foods (especially fish, shellfish, nuts, peanuts, eggs, and food additives), infections (which we'll discuss below), insect bites or stings, inhalants (animal danders, pollens, and molds), and contact allergens (plant substances, skin creams, cat scratches, moth scales, or animal saliva). In college I had a pet tarantula for a while, and some of my friends got hives from petting her hairy abdomen

There are also a number of distinct physical causes of hives (known as urticaria in doctor-speak):

* Dermatographia -- Hives that appear where the skin is firmly stroked. (Named because you can write on someone's skin by raising welts where your finger traced). This occurs in about 5% of people (and many more if you repeatedly stroke hard enough).
* Pressure urticaria -- Hives that appear under tight fitting clothing or jewelry (unlike dermatographia, which occurs in seconds, this can appear many hours later, obscuring the cause.
* Cholinergic urticaria -- Hives that occur in response to heat, exercise, or emotional stress. This usually doesn't begin before adolescence.
* Aquagenic urticaria -- Hives that are triggered by contact with sweat or with water. In these people, exercise itself is not a trigger, and they can drink water without a problem.
* Solar urticaria -- A rare disorder in which sun exposure results in hives. Sunscreen can help!
* Cold urticaria -- Hives that are triggered by exposure to cold water or air. This would be a good excuse to avoid swimming in cold pools (something my kids love for me to do).

I mentioned earlier that infections can trigger hives. We know that parasites can be responsible (including giardia and pinworms, which are common in daycare settings). We also know that bacterial infections, most notably Strep, can be the culprit. Viruses of many types can trigger hives as well.

Often -- over 70 percent of the time -- no specific cause is found when children have hives. They were hypersensitive to something, but no one discovers what, and the hives go away. Recent thinking is that most of these unidentified cases may be from viruses, making them the most common cause of hives. This is particularly likely when there is a cluster of cases (although molds, animals, foods, parasites, etc. could also be responsible for clusters).

Hives are usually treated with an antihistamine, such as Benadryl or a prescription medication called Atarax. If drowsiness is a problem, one of the newer non-sedating antihistamines may be a better choice. Any of the antihistamines might also be paired with an H2 Blocker (such as cimetidine or ranitidine) to increase its effect. Stronger treatments are available, but are usually unnecessary. If there are other allergic symptoms, such as wheezing or tightening of the throat, then a shot of epinephrine may be needed.

Those who develop hives associated with breathing problems should always seek medical attention immediately. In these cases, the child may be referred by their pediatrician to an allergist for further testing.

Usually the whole thing resolves fairly quickly. If the hives keep coming and going for six weeks, we call the condition chronic urticaria. This is often not serious, but can be a sign of an underlying disease process. These children should have a thorough physical and lab work, to be sure. The involvement of an allergist may be useful in these cases.

It sounds like the situation at your daughter's daycare, and across the United States right now, is probably caused by one or more of the viruses that thrive during cold and flu season. If the hives last longer than about 2 weeks in any of your daughter's friends, I would look for other possible causes at the daycare. In the meantime, Benadryl and a little TLC should get her through.

Hives can be quite uncomfortable. I remember getting hives after being stung by a jellyfish, and I couldn't sleep without Benadryl for several nights. I also discovered that distraction can sometimes help with the itching. This is one situation where videos and kid cassettes might be a real boon. And perhaps an extra hug, or two.

[Anonymous]

13:06 from 12/2 here, the PP with the son who developed hives after having H1N1 flu. He has had seasonal flu vaccine in the past (the mist) but not this year, so the hives are not vaccine related. I don't know that they're related to H1N1 at all, but I'm wondering.

[Anonymous]

I am 20 years old and had gotten the h1n1 flu vaccination because of having a weak immune system, 2 weeks ago at a free clinic we had on our college campus. I had hives on my arms, legs, face and stomach. I was told by our health center to take benadryl and all that did was reduce the itching. I still have extremely itchy skin but was told that was due to the dry environment. So It is not just little ones that are having outbreaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son is 12 and had the shot on November 4th. It is now December 2 and is still having the hives. I am wondering if it could be the shot the has caused these hives or something else.

I'm not a doctor, but I can't see how a shot is likely to continue to produce an allergic reaction a month later. I would go to an allergist to rule out other allergies, or at least start with your pediatrician. I think that a month of hives necessitates a doctor's visit, whichever you go to first.

I am 20 years old and got the h1n1 shot on Nov 17th I developed a severe case of hives... today is December 5th and I still have a mild case. After reading all the reports on various websites I am positive its a side effect of the vaccination. And the cold weather is what is prolonging the outbreak.

[Anonymous]

I am here to tell you that hives that last for months ARE INDEED a vaccine AND allergic reaction. My daughter who is now 19 has suffered with allergic hives, once in relation to a vaccine that lasted for months each time.

Turns out she is allergic to Neomycin. Neomycin is used as a preservative in many vaccines. Seriously, look up what they use as preservatives in vaccines. Your child may be allergic to one of the components.

It could also be an adverse reaction to the shot.

After the Hep B vaccine we had to take my DD to a homeopathic Dr. in PA who gave me something to detox her liver. This was after 3 months of all over hives. No I am not a freak or a natural medicine activist, but it's what had to be done to clear her up.

Dr. Jeffrey Marrongelle in PA was the Dr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder whether it's the virus, not the shot. My DS, who has never had hives, had the H1N1 virus in late October - home from school for a full week, high fever, etc. One week after that he started developing hives on his extremeties, usually made worse by hot water (bath or shower). Benadryl helps temporarily, but they come back. There were no changes in soap, detergent, cleaners, etc. I'm wondering whether it's an odd aftereffect of having H1N1 flu.

Ya know, I think there might be something to this. I have had 3 friends whose kids have had hives in the past month or so. None have had the vaccine. I am wondering if it's just some virus that is causing them (like any other virus they get) and/or the H1N1 virus itself can cause hives in some people. Perhaps the "novelty" of the virus and our bodies react like it's an allergy (i.e., histimine response) bc it's so "novel"? I dunno, but I DO think it's notable that oddly enough, I have heard of these hive cases and it made me think of this thread.

I posted earlier in the thread; my son got a virus a week or so after getting his first h1n1 shot, then got hives as the virus subsided. Our ped said the hives were virus-related. Not sure if he had a mild case of h1n1 or some other virus; the hives-following-virus thing has happened to him once or twice before.

[Anonymous]

I have already gotten one dose for my DS, with no side effects. Do you think I am in the clear for the second dose? Has anyone's DC gotten a reaction from the second dose, but not the first?

[Anonymous]

My 2 year old got the H1N1 flu after recieving the shot about 4 days later, now she has had hives for 3 weeks that won't go away. I thought she was having a food sensitivity but now I am wondering if it is all from the shot. I don't want her to get the booster.

[Anonymous]

I received the vaccine on Monday and now am seeing and feeling bumps on my neckline, arms and chest area. They are extrememly itchy. At least I know I am not alone.

[Anonymous]

I have the same reaction. 3 days after I got the vaccine. I've had hives for 3 days in a row. The first day I got them, they covered my cheeks, neck, chest, some on my arms, and I'm starting to get them on my legs. I've been taking allergy medicine and I put itch cream on and it goes away right away.
Hopefully they go away!

[Anonymous]

DS, 4 y.o. got his first vax (S.P. injection multidose) on 10/24 and had some hives, maybe 10-15, within a week of the shot (not sure exactly when). I first became aware of them when he was scratching his tush a lot. We put a topical cream on him. The hives were on his rear, and a couple on his stomach, upper thigh. He had his shot in his leg (not sure if that's significant. They disappeared about 3 weeks later. More annoying then anything else.

I talked with his doc about whether or not to get him the second shot. He told me this: 1)The hives may or may not be related to the shot; 2) topical creams may help relieve the itching a bit but won't do anything to alleviate the hives--to give DS benadryl, and 3) the fact that his reaction, if it was to the vaccine was mild and definitely not immediate, means it is probably safer to get him the 2nd dose of the vaccine, for full immunity, than it is to risk getting the flu.

So I did get DS the 2nd vaccine on Monday. He received the same vax. It's now Wednesday and I noticed 1 hive on his stomach so far. Not sure when that appeared. I will keep looking. If they appear in greater number then I feel fairly confident that something in the vaccine is causing a reaction and I will purse it with the doctor. If he is indeed allergic to an ingredient in the vaccine, I would like to know.

DD, 21 mo. also got the two doses and I did not see a reaction.

[Anonymous]

I am a 36 year old female. I received my H1N1 shot on Nov. 13 and broke out in hives on the 18th. I ended up in the ER on the 22nd where I was given prednisone, benedryl and epinephrine shot. I had been taking benedryl on my own but it was not helping anymore. I am now taking zrytec once a day. It has been over a month now and I still have the hives. They come back every evening when the zrytec starts to wear off. I am seeing an allergist on Jan 2. I have never had any allergies nor does my family have a history of allergies.

[Anonymous]

Oh and I had the SHOT, not the mist.