6-y-o w/ hives on arms & legs. ped. advised hydrocortisone and benadryl (diphenhydramine) every 4 hrs. after 8 hrs, still red, puffy, itchy. should we try loratadine?

Loratadine: Loratadine (claratin is same only costs more) is far superior to benadryl (diphenhydramine). It is a mystery to me that any dr would use Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for anything except as a sleeping pill. In children it may have the opposite effect, making them agitated. You may need to take the child to a dermatologist. Is it really hives or is it excoriated eczema?

Hives : You can give Benadryl (diphenhydramine) every 6 hours as needed sometimes hives persist due to delayed allergic reaction and may require multiple doses