Parents with young children are interested in understanding what causes hives in kids because this kind of knowledge puts them in a good position to address their children’s health issues as they arise. Viral infections happen to be among the frequent triggers of acute hives in children. Many of these viral infections are ultimately harmless and are resolved quickly, especially if the child has a healthy immune system. However, some of them are potentially serious infections when left untreated.

Some of the viral infections that have been associated with hives include rubella, infectious mononucleosis, herpes, hepatitis, the common cold and influenza. When the hives appear, they tend to be an indication that the immune system has begun to overcome the viral infection. They can often be read as a sign that the child is getting better.

Hives constitute a complex condition about which much remains unknown. Thus, even if it is widely accepted that viral infections can play a role in the development of hives, the mechanism by which this happens is not always clear. With this in mind, one might want to consider whether it is more appropriate to speak of the factors that trigger hives in kids than to speak of what causes hives in kids.

Further Consideration of What Causes Hives in Kids

Further consideration of what causes hives in kids reveals a host of other triggers. These factors include bacterial infections, various forms of medication and insect bites and stings. Food allergies are also notorious for triggering hives. In some cases, the allergens in question are a regular part of the diet, like peanuts or fish. This makes them particularly dangerous because it is not always possible to control the child’s environment and ensure that he or she will not accidentally ingest the allergen.

Unlike the localized hives that usually result when a child comes into direct physical contact with an allergen like pollen or the venom in an insect bite, the hives that are associated with viral infections tend to be spread out all over the body. When allergies are the triggering factor for a child’s hives, angioedema sometimes coincides with the child’s other symptoms. In its most extreme forms, this can result in the child’s suffocation. Treating the symptoms of hives and removing their trigger from the child’s environment is of paramount importance. This is one instance where knowing what causes hives in kids can help ensure the prompt and appropriate treatment of a child.

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.