Hive Central

For the past week, JT has had a case of hives every day.  Memorably, if not happily, on one day he got hives twice.  They always respond to Mama's little helper: Benedryl.  Though as a long-term strategy, the sleep-inducing effects of Mama's little helper may be less than helpful.

I've wracked my brain and created a hive journal, tracking their development, in an effort to figure things out.  He's gotten them at home, at school, and out-on-the-town; during the day and at night; around pets and without pets at hand; in times of stress and relaxation.  There is no obvious trigger.  The doctor shrugged and called them "idiopathic" which I gather is Latin for "I have no f*&%ing clue."

For now, he'll take a low-level antihistamine that should help to keep the hives at bay. If the hives turn up uninvited we'll send them packing with Mama's little helper (and a nap).  And I'll continue to rack my brain for clues to this little mystery. 

Friday morning hives update: Thanks for the tips and support; we're still searching for the trigger.  But JT has been on the Zyrtec for 48 hours......and no hives since Wednesday morning. And now that I've put that in print, the hives they will return.