Hives and Stomach Issues in 8-Year-old?

Write it all down and keep a journal with detailed notes. You'll be so glad you did.

I've never experienced what you are going through, but I'm thinking of my son with special needs. I keep a journal of things that he does at home that concern me, things teachers have mentioned, things that happen at therapy, things we've tried, things the teachers have tried, etc. Really just anything that I think might be helpful. It's amazing how much that helps the doctors. Also, I read through it the night before any appointment. I read through my recent notes and teachers' recent notes. Just reading through it again helps me be much more helpful in answering doctors' questions. You never know what might be related, so it really helps if you just write it all down.

Diarrhea after antibiotics is common.
Besides killing off the bad germs it kills off most of the good germs too - so after antibiotics have finished then start up with yogurt and/or probiotics to help the good bacteria get re-established.

Hives sounds like an allergic reaction to something.
Sometimes an allergic reaction can start up and it won't shut down on it's own for a long time.
I got a case of poison ivy once and I kept thinking "It's not so bad. It'll go away on it's own.".
Yeah. Right.
My record was 2 months of itching and the last straw was when I woke up bloody from scratching my legs in my sleep.
I saw the doctor and a steroid prednisone series stopped the itching within an hour (but I finished taking the series for the whole week to make sure it would stay gone).
So I'd keep up with the Benedryl for longer than a few days to make sure the hives stays gone.

G., I can't say that this is the same thing as your son's experience, but one child I cared for developed a horrible case of hives about a day or so after her antibiotic. Her elbows and knees were swollen and the poor kiddo was just red. As Theresa suggested, it may be a delayed allergic reaction to the medicine. Talk to your pediatrician about this. We can only say that it 'sounds like' but the pain in his belly is concerning and needs to be checked.

You need to call the doctor's office and speak to the advice nurse, they will go over and confirm most of the info you have received here, with the advantage that 1) they are actually medical professionals, and 2) they have access to your child's medical history.

20 bucks says this is a minor allergic reaction to the Augmentin.

Next time he needs one request a different antibiotic, there are too many to keep using one that gives you hives etc...Some docs get stuck on prescribing the same old thing.

http://www.rxlist.com/augmentin-side-effects-drug-center.htm

:)

Okay, so maybe not so much clinically "allergic reaction" as "side effect". But every body is different, there's so many other choices, you now know one that doesn't sit well with your kid.

Don't mean to sound repetitive - but I think we'll likely all give you the same answers as before. The antibiotics can definitely lead to diarrhea.

For the tummy ache/soreness, my guess is that if he's had the runs for a week, maybe he's now got a bit of a solid stool coming through.

Has he been tested for allergies before? If he continues to get hives, I would have him tested. That would be through an allergist.

Hives can also be related to things like new clothing detergent, new plant exposure etc. So I like Gidget's advice on log keeping. Just jot down what he's exposed to, eaten, etc.

And I like what Marda says about not getting freaked over this. Viruses, runs and hives are not that uncommon in kids.

Kids can also break out in hive like rashes if they get anxious.

Have they mentioned that? You sound a bit anxious over your kid's illness. Kids can pick up on that and there is such a thing as stress hives.

Try not to let this get to you - I'm sure he'll be ok. These are good questions to ask his pediatrician at his next visit :)

Your son was/is fighting a virus. Sometimes hives are a part of the virus. Sometimes it's a reaction to an antibiotic. Both have happened to me. My doctor said the same thing your son's doctor told you. Take benedryl.

It feels like you're still wanting a reason for these issues that are related but not necessarily caused by the same thing. One condition and treatment leads to another. I suggest the stomach pain is related to the diarrhea. However, you need to ask his doctor about it.
There often is not a reason for illness. He's sick. Doesn't matter if his symptoms are caused by one illness, 2 or 3. All that can be done with most illness is to treat the symptoms. You're doing that. He's been sick with one thing or another for several weeks. I suggest his body's resistance to illness is compromised which can lead to another illness.

As we said in your previous question, it is not uncommon for kids and even adults to be sick for several weeks, one thing after another. I missed so much time from my first professional job that my job was in jeopardy. In a few months, my body adjusted and I stopped being sick as often. I'm retired and am rarely sick even tho I spend time with my 3 yo and 5yo grandchildren who have frequent colds. My body, over time, has built up a resistance to most bacteria and viruses. My immunity is the result of my illnesses over the first half of my life. My body, unfortunately, has developed a resistance to a couple of antibiotics.

I suggest your anxiety and stress can lower your immunity. It's normal to be stressed.out when our children seem to be chronically ill. It's normal for children to pick up how parents feel, become anxious themselves. Both chronic anxiety and frustration can also lower immunity. Your children need to know that however unpleasant this is, they are OK. This is not serious. Their bodies will heal.

I suggest you focus on finding a way for you to take care of yourself. You need resilience to to manage your children's illnesses. You have been resilient. Your yesterday's post seemed to me to indicate you're wearing out, i would be worn our too. I don't know you so I can't suggest how you can feel less stress and worry. For me, I go for walks as well as change my thought from "I can't do this anymore" to "it is what it is and I'll get through it." I suggest if you stop questioning why and just treat the symptoms, yours and theirs, you will feel better. It is what it is. You can't change it. Face one day at a time.

Breathe, slowly. Air in through the nose, out through the mouth while thinking/visually.focusing on something relaxing. I see myself sitting on the beach watching the waves come in.

Sounds like he needs some steroids to fight the reaction from inside.