Overview
Urticaria, or hives, is a problem in which red, itchy, and swollen areas show up on the skin. It usually happens as an allergic reaction from eating certain foods or taking certain medicines. Though, sometimes the cause may be unknown. Hives can vary in size from one-half inch to several inches in size. Hives can show up all over the body or just on one part of the body.
Causes
Causes of urticaria in children include food, medicines, and other triggers. Common causes include:
- Peanuts
- Eggs
- Shellfish
- Penicillin
- Sulfa
- Anticonvulsant drugs
- Phenobarbital
- Aspirin
Other types of hives include:
- Dermatographism. These hives are caused by scratching the skin, continual stroking of the skin, or wearing tight-fitting clothes that rub the skin.
- Cold-induced hives. These hives are caused by exposure to cold air or water.
- Exercise-induced urticaria. These allergic hives are brought on by physical activity.
- Solar hives. These hives are caused by exposure to sunlight or light bulb light.
- Chronic urticaria. These are hives that come back with no known cause.
Risk Factors
Anyone can get hives. But children with allergies are at a greater risk.
Symptoms
These are the most common signs of hives in children:
- Itchy, pink or red swollen areas on the skin
- Hives can appear alone, in a group, or over a large area of the body
- Hives can go away within 24 hours in one spot but may come back in another spot
Diagnosis
Hives can be diagnosed by your child’s healthcare provider. He or she will first complete a full medical history and physical exam.
Treatment
Your child’s healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment for your child based on:
- How old your child is
- His or her overall health and medical history
- How sick he or she is
- How well your child can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies
- How long the condition is expected to last
- Your opinion or preference
The best treatment is for your child to avoid known triggers. If the hives were caused by a medicine, your child should strictly avoid that medicine.
Your child’s healthcare provider may also prescribe:
- Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine
- Other antihistamines that won’t make your child drowsy, such as cetirizine or loratadine
If your child is having trouble breathing, your child’s healthcare provider might use a shot of epinephrine to help decrease the swelling and the itching. Your child’s provider may show you how to use an emergency kit that has epinephrine to keep near your child in case of future episodes. Discuss this with your child’s provider.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
If your child’s symptoms get worse or he or she has new symptoms, talk with your child’s healthcare provider.
Key Points
- Urticaria, or hives, is a problem in which red, itchy, and swollen areas show up on the skin.
- Causes of urticaria include food, medicines, and other triggers.
- Treatment of urticaria includes antihistamines and a shot of epinephrine, if breathing is difficult.
- Avoiding known triggers of urticaria is important.
Next Steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
- Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
- Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
- At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
- Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.
- Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
- Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
- Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
- If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
- Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.
