First of all, you should know that urticaria in kids is not unusual. Urticaria is the medical term for what most people know as hives. Hives in kids is a fairly common occurrence and if it only appears once or twice and doesn’t last, you probably don’t need to worry about it. This would be referred to as acute urticaria in kids. Urticaria in kids is a skin condition that shows up as red, swollen, and itchy areas on the skin. They can appear very suddenly on any area of the body or all over the body. Acute means that there is only a couple of episodes and they do not reappear for more than 6 weeks.
Hives in kids that reappear for longer than six weeks are classified as chronic, and usually more a cause for concern, if only for the discomfort and inconvenience.
What causes hives in kids?
Hives in kids can be brought on by certain foods. Some of the more common foods that can trigger an episode of urticaria in kids are eggs, milk, nuts, and shellfish.
Medicines can also cause urticaria in kids. Although it could be almost any medicine for each individual, some medicines are more commonly used by children and those that are known to be a cause of hives in kids are Phenobarbital, penicillin, aspirin, anticonvulsants, and sulfa.
Some other causes of hives in kids
Although sometimes you may never discover the true cause, some other known causes of urticaria in kids include:
- Exposure to cold water or cold air
- Exposure to sunlight or sometimes even prolonged exposure to light from a bulb
- Excessive scratching of the skin in the same spot or rubbing of the skin from clothes that are too tight or rub in a certain area repeatedly.
If a diagnosis can be made, it will need to be in person and will be based on personal history as well as a physical exam.
What is the usual treatment for hives in kids?
If you can identify the cause, the best treatment is to avoid the cause or source of the hives. If the hives are acute and have already disappeared, you may be given no treatment at all. But for chronic hives in kids, your child’s overall general health, and health history will be taken into account as will how much discomfort the hives are causing. Don’t be afraid to voice your own opinion or ask questions. Just because you went to the doctor doesn’t mean you have to walk out with a prescription. Urticaria in kids has often been successfully treated with natural or alternative methods and therapies, as well as diet change.
When medicines are prescribed for hives in kids, the typical antihistamines like Benadryl® or Atarax®. Keep in mind these medications will make your child sleepy. Some of the antihistamines that don’t cause drowsiness are Claritan® or Zyrtec®.
Hives in kids is usually only serious if there is trouble breathing or the swelling is severe.
