Allergic reaction - rash/welts

Three times in the last month my boy has had a reaction to something (either food or something in the grass/air) and woke up in the middle of the night scratching like crazy and not able to go back to sleep for a few hours. Usually he goes back to sleep straight away so this isn't like him. He gets a rash either on his torso and/or legs that looks like big welts.

Took him to the doc the first time, she said allergic reaction to something but not sure what. We have antihistamine medicine and cream for when he gets a reaction, but I'd really like to be able to prevent it happening - not fun for him or us!

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this sort of reaction? Obviously not life threatening but is affecting him and us.

Do you think we'd be able to get him tested? If so, what does it involve?

Liz, I'd suggest getting an allergy test done sooner rather than later. You can either go for a skin prick test or a RAST (bld test). Your GP can give you the necessary forms. Eva gets RASTs done every 3 mths at present as her allergies keep changing, so is quite used to bld tests. Other kids hate them though.

Does the rash only show up in the night? Makes me think it's something he's eaten at dinner or something that's come in contact with his skin around bathtime.

I'll get DH to take him to the doc tomorrow, thanks ladies.

I think one of the things he reacted to was V8 juice, though not sure about the others. Yesterday we were home all day and he had 'normal' things to eat - and spag bol for dinner - pasta, pasta sauce, mince and cheese. And just water to drink. Actually now that I think of it -- it might have been last night or the night before, I had a strawberry milk and he had a mouthful of it. Hmm must ask DH if he can remember when it was.

He has showers, often both at night and in the morning cos he likes them - and uses J&J's wash.

Generally the reactions are at night time, and are still there in the morning (very much so this morning). The spots are still there now but faded.

yeah I would try skin prick test first, totally pain free, takes about 15mins most of which is just waiting.
They can test for grasses, pollens, cat hair, etc as well as foods