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Coloured Rashes On Legs, Stomach, Itchy. Had Black Stool. Took Benadryl. What Could It Be?
Question: HI, My 18 month old baby just got few red points on her legs - very itchy - we give her 1ml benadryl and she is taking bath now but we noticed that she getting itchy on ther stomach too.
Also about two hours ago she made very very black stool - like true black color
Also about two hours ago she made very very black stool - like true black color
Hi XXXXXX,
Thanks for placing your query through XXXXXXX
I can appreciate your concerns.
Your daughter seems to be having itchy & red rashes which are most probably allergic in nature. You have rightly tried her giving Benadryl which is a commonly used anti-allergic medicine.
Probably more concerning feature is the description of stool which she passed 2 hours ago –true black.
Most common cause of black stools in otherwise healthy kids is when they are on oral iron containing syrup.
The second cause of black stools which is really worrisome is possibility of any occult bleeding into her digestive tract (gut/bowel).
The colour of blood gets changed to dark black by digestive juices.
The source of blood in stools might be due to swallowed blood by a recent nose bleed or from any mouth injury or else there could be some other pathology within the gut itself.
At this moment it is difficult to say whether her black stools & rashes are related to a single pathology or not.
Useful info to know would be -
• Did she have a recent nose bleed or mouth injury?
• Is she on any iron containing syrup?
• Is there any tummy pain/fever/joint pain?
I sincerely advise you to see your paediatrician particularly if the black stools persist.
Hope I have given you enough information in the light of which you can discuss further with your pediatrician.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wish her a good health.
Thanks for placing your query through XXXXXXX
I can appreciate your concerns.
Your daughter seems to be having itchy & red rashes which are most probably allergic in nature. You have rightly tried her giving Benadryl which is a commonly used anti-allergic medicine.
Probably more concerning feature is the description of stool which she passed 2 hours ago –true black.
Most common cause of black stools in otherwise healthy kids is when they are on oral iron containing syrup.
The second cause of black stools which is really worrisome is possibility of any occult bleeding into her digestive tract (gut/bowel).
The colour of blood gets changed to dark black by digestive juices.
The source of blood in stools might be due to swallowed blood by a recent nose bleed or from any mouth injury or else there could be some other pathology within the gut itself.
At this moment it is difficult to say whether her black stools & rashes are related to a single pathology or not.
Useful info to know would be -
• Did she have a recent nose bleed or mouth injury?
• Is she on any iron containing syrup?
• Is there any tummy pain/fever/joint pain?
I sincerely advise you to see your paediatrician particularly if the black stools persist.
Hope I have given you enough information in the light of which you can discuss further with your pediatrician.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wish her a good health.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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