Wanted to get everyone's opinion on what might be going on with my 2-year-old daughter. For the past 3 weeks or so her behavior has been terrible! She's been very defiant, refusing naps & meals. She's also been very aggressive (hitting, pushing, biting) for no reason. She lost her temper the other day and tried to push the TV off of it's stand! Most of the day will go by and she will play and act fine but then she'll have a meltdown. The more we seem to discipline her, the more she misbehaves!
Anyway, about a week ago I started to notice red blotches on her skin (face, arms & legs). They came and went quickly, towards the end of the evening. A few days later she developed what looked like a bug bite on her face, near her eye, that again came and went quickly.A day or two later another spot appeared on her hand. Finally last night she developed two of these "bites" on her upper-face/eye area and broke out with blotches on the rest of her face. They only lasted a short time.
Additionally, she has developed diarrhea-- an awful smelling mess of somewhat undigested food-- twice in the last 3 months. When she had this she was not bothered in any other way, didn't have a fever and no one else in the family got sick!
I'm beginning to think that these are all related. Any thoughts? We have lactose-intolerance and food allergies in our family so I've already been keeping her on a mostly natural/whole-foods diet. She doesn't appear to be bothered by milk but it could be something else. I welcome all your thoughts and suggestions! Thanks in advance!
I totally agree with DM!
She could be sick.
She could have a food intolerance.
She could be acting like a normal 2 year old: an angel one minute and a hellion the next, or just completely unbearable.
At any rate, take her to the doctor for the rash and diarrhea but also mention the behavioral issues.
Wow. Lot's going on... Sounds like you are already watching her diet closely. Maybe something got on her skin - perfume, or other irritant? As far as her behavior... welcome to "two"! She is testing her boundaries and trying to get attention - even negative - totally normal. I would try giving her some positive attenion - praise her when she is behaving - ignore her when she is not. Let her have a tantrum and don't give in or get upset. It doesn't sound related to me, but I would definitely call the Dr. Hang in there.
Take her to the doctor. :)
In regards to the rash, it sounds very much like hives. It can be triggered by a number of things, including allergies. Especially since you have a family history of food allergies, you should consider taking her to an allergist to be tested. But if it turns out she does not have a food allergy, just know that hives are also caused by illness, medications, external irritants, and sometimes no obvious reason at all.
As far as the discipline goes, just try to stay patient and be consistent. It is a common thing at her age to have outbursts and tantrums. Is she getting enough sleep at naptime and bedtime? Are there stressful or new situations for her at home or daycare?
These things very well may be related but they also may be completely unrelated. I would have her tested for the allergies as a first step and go from there.
Could it be Fifths Disease?
It could have been a low grade fever.
My son was (is) always a terror before he got sick.
I don't think an allergy would come and go like that. I wonder if it is viral. Irregardless I think you should take her to the pediatrician for a once over.
Since you have a family history of allergies, and since all sorts of intolerances can make it harder to live in one's body comfortably, these could definitely be related. And something of a vicious cycle can get established where physical discomfort leads to mood changes, which lead to unsatisfying interactions with the family (punishment), which lead to further mood changes which lead to physical symptoms. The skin, digestive system, and lungs are all prime areas where emotional upset can create symptoms, and so allergy and stress can be hard to tease apart.
It would be a great idea to get her tested for other food intolerances (gluten is a common problem). Also consider bagging up most of the household cleaners you may be using and trying non-toxic alternatives (baking soda and vinegar are great!) for a month: unscented laundry detergent, vinegar for fabric softening, no air "fresheners," avoid disinfectant sprays (many toxic ingredients, and they don't work better than a wipe-down with white vinegar). I have severe chemical sensitivities and have watched calm children have amazing meltdowns in group testing situations, just moments after a diluted drop of some common chemical was squirted under their tongue).
Because of her age, the behaviors are probably at least partly age-related. Strong discipline can be too over-the-top for toddlers who have very little impulse control (especially if they are tired, hungry or sick), desire *everything* but are too young for most of it, are infuriated by punishment and control, tend to be rigidly scheduled, and are in the two most frustrating years of their pre-adolescent lives.
There are peaceful, empathetic (but still firm) parenting options that work better for many children, and I have yet to meet a little who has been harmed or spoiled by these alternatives. Google "emotion coaching," check out http://www.askdrsears.com/, read The Happiest Toddler on the Block (and in another year or two, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk) for more on how to parent (most) children with little or no "classic" punishment. Fantastic stuff.
My best to you. I hope you get to the root of your daughter's troubles soon.
Since she's two has she had any recent vaccinations? Which ones and do they have any similar types of reactions?
Is she gettin her 2 year molars? These sound like a bunch of teething issues. PLUS...she is 2. Really, the terrible 2's and horrible 3's...I wouldn't worry so much. See if giving her tylenol helps with the biting...she will bite if her gums hurt. If you think it's a food allergy, give her some bendryl when she breaks out and see if it goes away. Then RELAX! Whatever it is, you'll figure it out.
ok, that was so strange reading your post, It sounded like someone wrote it about my daughter. We have the same exact thing going on with our 2 year old girl. I never actually put it all completely together like you did, but your post really clarified it for me. But I did recently decide that the behavior might be allergy related, she also has those little "bumps" that come and go... we just tried taking all dairy out of her diet less than a week ago, and I'm not completely sure how she is reacting to it as she has a cold now.... if that doesn't work I guess we might get some allergy testing, but more likely take her to a homeopathic doctor first. have you heard of "the highly sensitive child" by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D. I am reading that right now. I feel my daughter also gets overstimulated really easily and that is why she acts out like that... I don't know, we are still trying to figure it out too....
I hope you get some good ideas :)
the "bug bites" could be allergic reactions to something in the environment. My husband will get what looks like bug bites around his eyes, which cause the tissues around his eyes to swell. It's allergies. He'll take an Allegra and they will go away.
I think you should visit her doc. Two-year olds can be as you described, but there could be some underlying thing going on that is making her behavior worse.
Good luck and let us know what happens!
Hi, J.:
Have you checked with her ped?
Also check the web for digestive aids.
Look up
see if anything applies.
Good luck.
D.
