Urticaria Multiforme

The 90 year-old doctor (so maybe I exaggerate a little) who evaluated Nolan's rash this morning didn't even look under Nolan's clothes before making a diagnosis. Nolan has urticaria or (erythema) multiforme, most likely caused by exposure to a virus, since he isn't on any medications. The MD prescribed cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution 1mg/mL antihistamine, 1 5mL (1 tsp.) dose 2X/day. (This is 4X the dose recommended for Nolan's age on the packaging, so we'll see if Adam and I are brave enough to follow the doctor's orders). We were advised by the Metro Peds nurse line on Monday night to administer 5mL of diphenhydramine (Benadryl) every 4 hours, and apply hydrocortisone to the lesions followed by Calamine lotion to control the itching. This doctor recommended the Zyrtec, and warned us that Nolan could have this "rash" for up to 2 months. Let's hope not!

Overall, Nolan has been in good spirits. He's just really itchy. Since nothing in Nolan's diet changed, nor was he exposed to any new allergens (soaps, laundry detergents), the doctor assured me that this is likely not something we'll need to worry about in the future in regards to potential anaphylaxis. However, it never hurts to be watchful.