Hives (urticaria)

What are hives?

Hives (urticaria) is a rash characterized by raised bumps on the skin and intense itching.

The bumps usually appear red and raised, in the form of welts. Sometimes they are circular, with white centers.

Hives occur when cells in the skin release a chemical called histamine in response to some trigger.

Seen in both adults and children, hives are common. It is estimated that more than 20% of all children have had hives at least once.

There are many causes of hives. The most common is an allergic reaction to certain foods, medications (especially antibiotics), and allergens such as house dust and pollen.

Other causes are infections, extreme cold or heat, soaps or chemicals, pressure upon the skin, hormones, and emotional stress. If the rash is localized to a small area on the body, it can be caused by skin contact with something, including jewelry, plants, food, or saliva from pets.

Treatment / What you should do

Your doctor may recommend treating your child with antihistamines (for example, diphenhydramine) for relief of itching and irritation.

Antihistamines are allergy medicines available at the pharmacy without a prescription.

This medicine should be given regularly during the first 24 to 48 hours.

Cool compresses and a cool bath can also relieve the itching.

Contact a doctor if the rash has not disappeared within a few days, or if the hives occur with other symptoms, such as fever, cough, or sore throat.

Prevention

Many cases of hives are caused by common viral infections that are self-limited, and require no treatment.

It often requires detective work to try and find out what has triggered the hives and usually a parent is not able to figure out what really caused the hives in their child.

If you are able to identify the cause of the hives, you should try to keep your child away from it.

Common foods that can produce hives are strawberries, shellfish, milk and nuts.