What Are Children Hives
Hives in children are also called urticaria, but may are often simply referred to as welts. These welts are swollen areas on the surface of the child’s skin that can vary in size and location, but most of the time have well defined edges with a pale center and a reddish border. Children hives often cause itching, and can move from location to location on the child.
Hives and children go hand in hand, as your childs immune system is learning what a serious allergen is and what isn’t. That’s why hives in children are very commonly seen together – not just in your child but almost all children. Your child could have a small group of hives that goes away within 15 minutes or even a couple of hours, and then a few hours later reappears. It is possible for your child’s hives to stick around for months, which is often referred to as chronic hives.
Treatment And Medication Options For Hives
How you treat hives depends on how many youve had and how long youve been suffering. If you have one hive that goes away within 24 hours and youre not having any breathing issues, you probably dont need medical attention. Instead, you might take a nonsedating, over-the-counter antihistamine like loratadine/pseudoephedrine , fexofenadine , or cetirizine to ward off a second one from occurring, Friedman says.
If you do get a second hive, taking one of these antihistamines should be your first defense. Its more about prevention or active treatment, Friedman says.
If a single hive lasts for longer than 24 hours or is more painful than itchy, or if hives continue to come and go for six weeks or more, its time to visit a dermatologist. You can always start with your general physician to get a referral, but because dermatologists are skilled at dealing with hives, theyre your best bet for recommending the appropriate treatment, Rossi says. Dermatologists can also offer patch testing that can identify potential allergens that may cause hives when they come in contact with your skin.
Conditions Related To Hives
Hives can sometimes be a symptom of or be mistaken for other skin problems. Similarly, certain conditions and other things can trigger hives. The following are related to hives for at least one of these reasons:
More than 50 percent of cases of chronic hives are believed to occur alongside an autoimmune disease. The following autoimmune diseases can trigger chronic hives:
- Type 1 Diabetes Long-lasting chronic hives could be an early indicator of type 1 diabetes.
- Lupus Its not very likely, but lupus can cause hives, possibly because of the existence of certain antibodies, sunlight, or response to some medications. Hives typically will go away within 24 hours, but if they last longer, it could be a condition called urticarial vasculitis.
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How Are Hives Diagnosed
A doctor can diagnose hives and help you find the cause. They might recommend you keep a food diary to find out if there is any link between food and your hives.
You might be sent to an allergist, a doctor who specializes in treating allergies, for additional testing. This might include blood work and urine tests to look for chemicals in your body that might tell the allergists whats causing your hives.
You might also have a skin biopsy, especially if your allergist suspects vasculitis causing your hives. Hives that have lasted for longer than 6 weeks will likely necessitate testing for underlying chronic conditions.
Sometimes, a specific cause isnt found. In this case, your hives will be diagnosed as idiopathic urticaria. The word idiopathic means unknown. In this case, your doctor will still be able to help you with a treatment plan, but you wont be able to tell what to avoid to prevent hives in the future.
Treatment for hives will depend on the severity of your hives and on the cause. For instance, youll need to avoid the cause of your hives if it has been found.
Your doctor will work with you to find the right treatment for you. Common options include:
Can You Prevent Hives
Sois there any good news here? As usual, an ounce of prevention is the way to go:The best way to deal with hives is to try to identify and avoid triggers in thefirst place. If you are prone to hives , beproactive.
Itdoesnt hurt to keep antihistamines on hand, especially if youre dealing witha stressful situation. Meanwhile, schedule time for self-care in your calendarto keep stress levels in check. And ask for help when you need it.
After all, theres no downside to stress management, Dr. Myers points out. Your whole body will thank you inside and out.
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Mast Cells And Histamines
Underneath the lining of the skin, gut, lungs, nose and eyes are mast cells. These are designed to kill worms and parasites.
Mast cells contain chemicals including histamine. When these are released into the skin in small amounts, they cause itching and irritation. When large amounts are released into the skin, fluid leaks out of blood vessels, resulting in swelling of the skin .
Occasionally, hives produce swelling without an itch.
Other Ways To Get Relief From Hives
No matter the treatment course, avoid the urge to scratch the hives. You risk breaking the skin and getting an infection, Friedman says.
One of the best ways to relieve an itch is by using cold therapy . Use ice packs, a cool cloth, or a frozen bag of veggies like peas, or take a cool shower. Even better, stick a moisturizer in the fridge to cool it down, which will have a double-whammy effect against that itch, Rossi says.
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Simply Scratching Your Skin Can Cause Hives
For a small percentage of the population,dermatographism, or skin writing can cause hive-like welts when you scratch, rub or apply pressure to your skin. Typically, there is an inappropriate release of histamine, which causes the hives to appear. If you’re experiencing this type of reaction, it’s best that you talk to your doctor about management and treatment.
How Can I Prevent Hives And Swelling
Allergy tests can help your healthcare provider figure out which substances bring on hives and swelling. Once you know your triggers, you can avoid them. You may want to:
- Cut certain foods or liquids out of your diet.
- Reduce exposure to airborne allergens.
- Switch to detergents and soaps without scents or dyes.
- Avoid extreme changes in temperature.
- Relax and take a break when youre stressed or overworked.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
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What Is A Natural Antihistamine For Hives
A common herb in natural medicine, stinging nettle, may also be a natural antihistamine. In a 2000 study, 58 percent of participants found their symptoms relieved with the use of freeze-dried nettles, and 69 participants rated it better than the placebo. Stinging nettle can be found online and at health food stores.
Those Itchy Red Welts Can Be Brought On By More Than Just Pet Dander And Pollen
Susan Bard, MD, is a board-certified general and procedural dermatologist with the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery.
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If you break out in hives, medically known as urticaria, your skin itches and is covered in red or skin-colored welts, but it’s not always clear what might have triggered them.
Hives can appear anywhere on the body, including your face, torso, arms, legs, and back, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology . They may range in size from as tiny as a pencil tip to as large as a dinner plate. Hives typically crop up when you have an allergic reaction to a substancelike pet dander, pollen, or latextriggering your body to release histamine and other chemicals into your blood. That’s what causes the itching, swelling, and other symptoms, per the ACAAI.
Acute hives are those that clear up within six weeks and chronic hives are those lasting more than six weeks, per guidelines published in 2016 in the journal Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Research. Whether someone falls into the category of acute or chronic hives, there are some concrete causes of those pesky red bumps.
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Breaking Out In Hives For No Apparent Reason
Many thyroid conditions have been and continue to be incorrectly diagnosed through exclusive use of TSH testing as the sole signifier of possible thyroid dysfunction. Unfortunately, TSH is wrongly considered by the majority of endocrinologists and many other physicians to be the only indicator required to produce an accurate and comprehensive analysis of ones thyroid health. Because of this many people come away from their physicians as being misdiagnosed or having their thyroid condition completely disregarded. Download the National Academy of Hypothyroidism’s recommended lab tests and take them to your doctor!
Can Hormone Imbalance Cause Hives
Hives Trigger #2: Hormone Imbalances
Hives are a type of inflammation, and could be a result of menopause nearing. Autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease, lupus, and celiac disease, can also cause hormone imbalances that lead to hives. If you suspect you have any of these conditions, speak to your doctor.
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Im Not Sure Why I Keep Getting Hives
If you get itchy bumps on your skin, its usually because of bug bites or allergies. But some people get hives spontaneously and arent sure whats causing them. Dr. Tom Miller and Dr. Mark Eliason, a dermatologist, talk about hives and why we get them. Dr. Eliason describes how to treat minor hives at home, when to see doctor about them, and when you should run to the ER because of hives.
Dr. Miller: Hives, what are they? How do we get them? And what do we do about them? This is Dr. Tom Miller on Scope radio. We’re going to talk about that next.
Announcer: Medical news and research from University of Utah physicians and specialists you can use for a happier and healthier life. You’re listening to The Scope.
Dr. Miller: Hi, I’m here with Dr. Mark Eliason. And he is a professor of dermatology here at the University of Utah. And Mark is going to tell us a little bit about hives. What are hives? What’s a hive? I think of a beehive but I don’t know if that’s what a hive is.
Why Do I Break Out In Hives For No Reason
In terms of allergens, hives can be caused by factors such as pollen, medications, food, animal dander, and insect bites. Hives might also be caused by circumstances besides allergies. Its not uncommon for people to experience hives as the result of stress, tight clothes, exercise, illnesses, or infections.
Can hives be caused by nothing?
In the overwhelming majority of cases it is not something causing the chronic hives, it is nothing. That is, in about 95% of chronic hives cases, the hives are idiopathic .
What do stress hives look like?
Stress hives often look oval, round, or ring-like but also can take on irregular shapes. Hives are very itchy. You may feel a tingling or burning sensation as if youve been bitten by mosquitos. In addition, some welts may disappear only to be replaced by new ones within a few hours.
When should I be worried about hives?
If hives are present in addition to other symptoms such as tongue or mouth swelling, breathing trouble, vomiting or abdominal pain, fainting or other complaints, it is important to see a doctor right away.
What can be mistaken for hives?
Skin Conditions That Share Symptoms With Chronic Hives
- GettyImages. Symptoms of chronic hives.
- Heat rash. Heat rash, also called miliaria or prickly heat, is characterized by raised, red bumps, which can be inflamed and itchy.
- Contact dermatitis.
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When Should I Call The Doctor
Hives and swelling typically get better without treatment. Call your healthcare provider if you have:
- Hives or swelling that last more than a week.
- Infected-looking bumps .
- Recurring hives that come back every few months.
- Severe itching.
- Signs of anaphylaxis, including wheezing, shortness of breath or vomiting.
- Swollen lips or eyes.
Are Hives In Children Dangerous
Hives in children is often not life threatening. They are not contagious and usually pass with time and avoidance of the allergens that caused the reaction. However, if you notice facial swelling , which makes it hard for your child to breath, call 911 immediately. The swelling may be cutting off their airflow which will lead to them passing out and dying if the airflow is cut completely. My daughter is deathly allergic to peanuts and had angioedema when she first tried peanut butter. We called 911 and had her rushed to the nearest hospital via ambulance. Don’t take a chance with your child’s life! If they’re having trouble breathing, call 911 ASAP!
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Common Triggers Of Sudden
Hives, called urticarial by the medical community, are common, uncomfortable, and unsightly. Hives affect about 20% of the population in this country at some point in their lives.
These red, bumpy, or slightly raised welts can occur anywhere on your body including your face, torso, back, arms, and legs. Hives can be small or large. They can be isolated or connect to each other and cover an entire portion of your body. They are usually itchy. Sometimes theyre painful or sting.
They often disappear within a day only to return, lasting for a few days or a few weeks. If they last longer than six weeks, theyre considered chronic hives, rather than sudden-onset hives.
When Should You Seek Help From A Medical Professional
Luckily, rashes caused by allergies can often be treated from the comfort of your own home, and some might clear up as soon as the allergen is removed from your environment. Dr. Purcell says it’s important to go see a doctor if your rash doesn’t respond to what should work, like topical steroids or taking an antihistamine. Additionally, if you can’t figure out what’s causing your rash, it might be in your best interest to consult a doctor to figure out what’s triggering you so you can avoid the allergen in the future.
If you can, try making an appointment with a skincare specialist, like a dermatologist, rather than visiting an urgent care for help with a rash caused by an allergen, Dr. Brar recommends, explaining that urgent care staff might not always know the best course of treatment and might, for instance, recommend oral steroids when milder treatments would suffice. That said, if you are experiencing any more serious symptoms, like shortness of breath, you should, of course, seek help as quickly as possible, rather than waiting to consult a specialized doctor in the future.
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There Are Two Types Of Urticaria:
- Acute urticaria are hives that last six weeks or less
- Chronic urticaria happens when hives last or recur for more than six weeks
Acute urticaria in a child can be caused by infections, foods, medications, insect bites or blood transfusions. When a child develops acute hives, the first thing that usually comes to mind is, What did she or he eat that caused this rash? However, most cases of childhood hives are a result of infections. Some infections that can cause hives in children include respiratory viruses , strep throat, urinary tract infections, hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis and many other viral infections.
In an infant or a toddler who is being introduced to new foods, think about food allergy as a possible cause of the hives, especially peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, cows milk, and fish or shellfish. If your child develops hives while or shortly after playing outdoors, look at their skin for any signs of insect bites, especially fire ants in our area. When a child develops hives while taking a medication, the hives could have been caused by the medication, but this gets tricky if the child is taking an antibiotic, since the hives could also have been caused by the initial infection for which she was taking that antibiotic.
Hives Are Very Common In Kids Too Heres How To Manage Them
Parents should know that given the high incidence of hives in kids, its likely theyll see hives on their child at least once. But dont panic. Acute urticaria is more common in the young , says Meghan Feely, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in New York City and New Jersey and a clinical instructor in the Mount Sinai Department of Dermatology in New York City.
Numerous triggers and allergens can cause hives in kids, but food in particular is a common one for kids, especially if theyre allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, or soy. You may not even know theyre allergic to something until their first hive appears, especially if its accompanied by an allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which requires emergency care.
Fortunately, most hives in kids can be treated at home with over-the-counter medication, and most hives in kids go away without much need to do anything. But if the hives continue, youll want to schedule an appointment with your pediatrician, who may request food allergy testing. Just make sure youre taking good notes about the hive incidents, which will help the doctor treat and manage the issue.
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