Swollen hands..AGAIN!?

Updated on September 24, 2013
L.B. asks from Coolidge, AZ
5 answers

This is the second time this has happened within 2 weeks. I took her to the doctor- he wasn`t sure if it was a spider bite or mosquito. I gave her childrens benadryl and topical spray. Ice the area when she`ll let me....... My question is- how do I put anything on her hands to protect her from bites, when kids this small put their hands in their mouths???? Any suggestions????

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

If both hands are swollen -- and not just one hand -- I would question whether this is from bug bites at all. Do you actually see bite marks? Small, red, raised, obvious location of the original bite? If not, I would see a different pediatrician (it sounds like yours might have seen one bite affect her once and is assuming all other subsequent symptoms are also bites, which is not good doctoring) and I also would tell the doctor -- not ask, tell -- that you want a referral to a pediatric allergist for tests.

If you are not seeing any other evidence of spiders or mosquitos in your home, really, I think it's past time to get some other opinions. Could be a contact allergy to something she plays with. And swelling can be a symptom of many and very different conditions that aren't allergies, too, so go beyond the pediatrician to get it checked out. I hope she gets better soon.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

I agree, there may be something else going on. I had an allergic reaction once that left my hands looking like the Hulk's. It progressed after hours to hives and my mouth and ears swelling.
Keep the benadryl handy and don't stop with this doctor. Take her to an emergency clinic next time, maybe or insist on a referral to an allergist.

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L.B.

answers from New York on

Are both hands swollen? I know this isn't that helpful, but I once saw one of those mystery diagnosis shows where a kid's first symptoms were swollen hands. I think the verdict turned out to be a rare sensitivity to the sun. Not helpful to you, I realize, but I'm just pointing out it could be something unusual if the usual culprits have been eliminated. Maybe try some googling?

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I know of nothing that's safe to use on anyone's hands no matter their age. Is she only being bitten on her hands? Can you see where she was bitten or is her whole hand swollen. I've seen a baby's hand swollen from them sucking on the hand.

I suggest that if she doesn't have bites elsewhere this isn't bug bites but I don't know what else it could be. If she's not bothered by the swelling I would just wait to see if it happens again. If this becomes chronic I'd make an appointment with her pediatrician.

Of course you've looked for spiders and eliminated them where she plays.

As for mosquitoes you can use Avon's Skin So Soft. It's nontoxic tho I probably would'nt put it on her hands.

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J.S.

answers from Hartford on

Your daughter needs and allergist. If both hands are having the swelling and you're thinking it's an allergic reaction (if Benedryl helps then it probably is) it could be something she's eating.

Keep a food diary and see if there's anything new she's eating or if there's a pattern. See if there's a new "thing" she's playing with. A new clay? Something with dye in it that maybe she's reacting to? My eldest daughter can't use anything with red dye in it such as shampoos, soaps, lotions, clays, etc. if there's a chance of her skin absorbing it. Her hands swell up nearly immediately and get hyper-sensitive. She can't eat anything with Red 40 either.

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