Understanding Hives
When a rash shows up on their child’s skin, parents tend to worry. And that’s understandable because rashes can look serious – especially hives. Hives are itchy, red raised welts with pale, puffy centers that look like areas of swollen skin. They can change shape, be very small or quite large, and move from location to location. They often occur suddenly and usually do not last long. But what causes hives? That can be hard to pin down!
When a child has hives, parents are often concerned they are due to allergies. Although hives can be a sign of an allergic reaction, they’re most often caused by a viral infection. When this happens, the hives or rash may be spread across the entire body and last days to weeks. Your child may have other symptoms like cough or congestion at the same time, or just before the rash appears. The rash itself isn’t contagious, but the virus triggering it may be.
Sometimes hives are caused by a bacterial infection or certain medicines. But very often, we never figure out what caused the hives. Then we call them “idiopathic”. Idiopathic hives are frustrating, but not dangerous.
When hives occur in just one place on the body, they’re usually in reaction to something the skin came in contact with. Bug bites and bee stings can cause local hives, even in people who aren’t allergic. Some plants cause hives when they touch the skin. Some kids get hives where a dog or cat licks them!
When hives are caused by an allergic reaction, they appear within minutes to an hour of exposure to a triggering substance. Foods like peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and shellfish can be the cause. If you suspect a food is the cause of your child’s hives, please contact your pediatrician. If your child also has coughing, trouble breathing, dizziness, fainting, tightness in the throat, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, you should seek medical care right away.
Most of the time, hives don’t need treatment and just go away on their own. If your child is very itchy, you can help them feel better with a non-sedating antihistamine like cetirizine. Of course, if you know what causes your child’s hives, the best plan is to avoid that trigger.
Hives are usually short-lived but can last for many weeks. If they last more than 6 weeks or are in a specific location, talk with your pediatrician. They may recommend additional tests. Long-lasting hives are frustrating, but not serious.
It’s understandable that parents worry about this strange rash when it appears. If your child has hives, let your pediatrician know so you can work together to understand the cause. Usually, we’ll just be offering you reassurance that the rash will soon disappear –as mysteriously as it appeared!
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