Hives in infants consist of reddish welts of different shapes and sizes. As in other age groups, urticaria in infants often lasts a few hours or days at a time- this form of the condition is called acute urticaria. By contrast, chronic urticaria lasts for periods of time longer than six weeks.
It is not unusual for first time parents to be alarmed when they are first introduced to hives in infants. Pictures of the condition reveal swollen areas on the skin, sometimes on the entire body. On an infant’s small, vulnerable body, these might look especially tender or painful. However, infants often experience hives as nothing more than a minor discomfort. If these hives are not accompanied by angioedema or other health complications, then all the parent has to worry about is helping the baby find relief from the itchiness.
Hives (Urticaria) in Infants: Some Triggers
The triggers or causes of hives in infants vary. They include viral infections like the common cold and influenza. Hives in infants also develop in response to the ingestion of particular foods, including milk. This is particularly important because infants’ primary food tends to be milk. The milk in question could be one of various formulas developed for feeding infants. If infants develop an allergy to, say, the soya protein in the formulated milk, then radical changes have to be made to their diets.
Contact allergens have also been known to trigger urticaria in infants, as have medications like antibiotics. In yet other cases, infants develop physical urticaria in response to environmental stimuli like temperature: a baby may develop hives when it feels extremely cold.
Some Remedies for Hives (Urticaria) in Infants
There are various approaches to relieving the discomfort caused by hives in infants. One may use cold compresses on the affected area or bathe the infant in lukewarm water with baking soda added to it. Other home remedies for hives include calamine lotion, aloe vera pulp and milk of magnesia. Each of these provides relief when applied directly to the affected skin. Likewise, sandalwood oil is soothing when applied to the skin. In addition to these home remedies, one should make a point of dressing infants in clothing that fits loosely in the affected areas. This will help minimize the discomfort felt by the hives-stricken infants. It could also help prevent the development of more hives: in some cases, hives is triggered by pressure and sweating, both of which are likely when babies’ clothing fits too snugly.
