So, Where Are the Bees?!

I ask this question because Jack has HIVES!

That's right, hives. We noticed on Wednesday night that his right leg was a nasty shade of red with lots of little white bumps in it - sort of like lots of mosquito bites. I thought at first that he had been bitten by something, but a call to the doctor quickly assured me that it sounded like we were experiencing a reaction caused by his skin coming into contact with something that irritated it. I immediately thought of the new fabric softener that I had just started using.

We made an appointment with Dr. Keith the next day just in case, and boy am I glad we did. When he woke up Thursday morning (after sleeping in fabric-softener-free PJ's), this beautiful little boy was covered in that nasty rash from head to toe. I was scared to death!

Our doctor's appointment was not until Thursday afternoon and by that time I was noticing that the rash was sort of moving. It would be on his legs one minute, then on his face, then his back - very strange! When the nurse came in the exam room to take his temperature (which he hates), he started screaming and his skin just exploded. His legs, face, arms, stomach, back - even his fingers, toes and behind his ears. It was awful!

Dr. Keith walked in the room, took one look at Jack and said, "Oh, hello! Somebody's got hives!" I just love a quick, easy diagnosis.

Turns out that the runny nose my sweetpea has had since his birthday is probably the root of the problem. Apparently, certain proteins in viruses can cause little ones to break out in hives. We now have a lovely antibiotic to pair with regular doses of Benadryl - and things are starting to look better. Poor baby - I know he has been so uncomfortable - but as you can see from these photos taken in the Doctor's office, he is always such a trooper!