Baby Hives

Hives, also known as urticaria or welts, are swollen areas on the skin. They can show up in different shapes and sizes, but are generally well defined, with a pale, central, raised area surrounded by a red border. Baby hives usually itch.  Hives can come and go over a period of minutes, hours and sometimes even weeks. They also can appear for only a few minutes and never return again.

Baby hives are a sign of an allergic reaction, and are usually harmless if they are the only symptom your child is having. Children with hives and more severe symptoms, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling in their mouth or throat, may have anaphylaxis – a serious allergic reaction. These children need immediate medical attention.

Hives are a type of allergic or immune system reaction that occurs when something triggers the release of chemicals, including histamine, from cells in a child’s body. It is important to remember that there are many more things in addition to food allergies that can cause hives in kids. These include medications, infections, exposure to the sun, and for some kids, even physically touching their skin repeatedly, like scratching, which is called dermographism.

A baby with hives may have additional symptoms depending on what is triggering the hives. For example, if a viral infection is causing the hives, then he may have a sore throat, runny nose, and/or a cough. Although some things, such as certain foods, commonly cause hives, keep in mind that almost anything can trigger hives.

To help figure out the cause of baby hives in your child, keep a diary of all of your baby’s medications and everything he has recently had to eat and drink.

Since hives are caused by the chemical histamine, it is logical that you would treat them with an antihistamine medication, such as diphenhydramine more commonly known as Benadryl.  Of course, the best treatment for hives, whenever possible, is to remove and then avoid whatever is triggering your baby’s hives.

Common causes of hives can include:

·         foods, especially peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, milk, shellfish, wheat, and soy

·         medications, especially antibiotics like penicillin and sulfa drugs

·         additives in foods or medications, such as the food dye tartrazine (Yellow No. 5)

·         infections, especially viral infections

·         insect bites and stings

·         latex

·         exercise

·         stress

·         exposure to heat, cold, or water