My Polka Dotted Son

Sunday morning I was awaken by my precious little boy.  This is a daily occurrence, he is an early bird rising around five or six a.m. each day.  This morning as I lay in bed, greeted by sweet face, he slightly raises his pajama shirt.  Being the super detective mother that I am (I could spot a spec that doesn't belong on him from afar!) I say "what is on your belly?"  Now I am awake and up out of bed faster than ever.  Sure enough I discover my son is polka dotted.  It looks identical to the allergic reaction he had to amoxicillan a couple years ago.  I served him fish the night before, Tilapia.  We don't usually eat fish so this was new to him.  I am sure this is the cause, but I phone the Doctors anyway to be checked and make sure we take care of him properly.  The on call doctor, quickly dismissed the rash as something related to the cold he barely has. 

I am extremely dissatisfied with this diagnosis.  I have been caring for children for fifteen years, I have seen a lot of illnesses.  I understand that some colds can end with prickly rash or something of the sort.  But this is clearly hives.  I googled for info if it could be cold related.  I came up with a site from Brigham and Womens that explained hives.  It says it is a mild allegic reaction and lists possible allergens, which includes fish. 

Anyway I will be getting a refferal to visit an allergy specialist.  He clearly has allergies and we need to determine what they are.  I can remember my sister had severe allergies that caused her to have asthma attacks and swollen face and eyes.  Maybe he has some of her things.  We are fortunate at three and a half he hasn't had a severe allergic reaction yet.

You can really see how these spots change over time from the above image to the one below.  He has been a great little guy through this.  He tries very hard not to itch them, which shows much better self control than momma has.