Taking Care Of Your Babys Skin
With that said, its worth repeating that baby hives is a completely normal condition. Medical professionals estimate that as many as 20 percent of babies will develop a case of hives at some point in their childhood.
So, if youre infant is one of those who do develop a case of baby hives, theyre not alone! Use the easy treatments weve outlined in this article, and keep your baby occupied with lots of TLC from Mom and Dad, and choose gentle skin care products.
Your little bundle of joy will be back to normal in no time!
About Author: Lisa Coon
Lisa Coon is a Writing Coordinator for OSF HealthCare, where she has worked since August 2016. A Peoria native, she is a graduate of Bradley University with a degree in journalism. Previously, she worked as a reporter and editor at several newspapers in Iowa and Illinois.She lives in Groveland with her husband and son. In her free time she likes to cook, bake and read. She freely admits that reality TV is a weakness, and she lives by the quote, The beach is good for the soul.
The Link Between Stress And Hives
As an adult, you know all about stress. It can make your heart race, your blood pressure skyrocket, and your headache. But did you know it can also cause hives? And did you know its not just an adult problem? If your child is complaining of an itchy, red rash, it may be hives, and it may be caused by stress.
To be certain what your child is experiencing, its best to come in and see Dr. Margaret Lubega. The community of Gastonia trusts her to compassionately and expertly care for their young ones. If you think your child might have hives, Dr. Lubega and her team can accurately diagnose the problem and help you understand whats causing it. Hives are often triggered by viral infections, exposure to the sun, or overexertion during exercise. But stress, even in children, can bring on the bumps as well.
Heres what she wants you to know about the link between stress and hives in your little ones.
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Localized Infections With Rashes
Infected Wounds
An infected wound occurs when a minor wound from skin irritation, scratch, cut, or bite becomes infected by bacteria on the skin’s surface, on the mucous membranes, or from external sources. The wound becomes red and moist, pus and yellowish scabs appear, and the surrounding skin becomes swollen and tender because of inflammation. A child’s lymphatic nodes may become swollen in the surrounding area, and a fever may develop. If the child scratches the wound, bacteria may spread on the skin and give rise to more sores.
Impetigo
Impetigo can occur on any part of the body that has a wound or break in the skin. A rash usually results from a scratch, bite, or minor irritation that has become infected with streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. The wound becomes red and moist, with pus and eventually yellowish scabs. If a child scratches the wound, the bacteria may spread on the skin and cause more sores that develop over the course of a few days and last four to six days before drying up and forming scabs. It is usually treated with topical or oral antibiotics.
Read more: What Is Impetigo?
Cellulitis
Fungal Rash
Scabies
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Head Lice
Read more: What Does Head Lice Look Like?
Warts
Molluscum Contagiosum
Eczema
There are three common types of eczema:
Read more: Treating Eczema in Toddlers and Kids
Diaper Rash
How Are Hives Treated
In many cases, mild hives won’t need treatment and will go away on their own. If a definite trigger is found, avoiding it is part of the treatment. If the hives feel itchy, the doctor may recommend an antihistamine medicine to block the release of histamine in the bloodstream and prevent breakouts.
For chronic hives, the doctor may suggest a non-sedating prescription or over-the-counter antihistamine to be taken every day. Not everyone responds to the same medicines, though, so it’s important to work with the doctor to find the right one for your child.
If a non-drowsy antihistamine doesn’t work, the doctor may suggest a stronger antihistamine, another medicine, or a combination of medicines. In rare cases, a doctor may prescribe a steroid pill or liquid to treat chronic hives. Usually this is done for just a short period to prevent harmful steroid side effects.
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How Are Hives And Swelling Diagnosed
Your doctor can diagnose hives and swelling by looking at your skin. Allergy tests can help identify whats triggering a reaction. Knowing the cause can help you avoid allergens, hives and swelling. Allergy tests include:
- Skin tests: During this test, healthcare providers test different allergens on your skin. If your skin turns red or swells, it means youre allergic to that substance. This type of allergy test is also called a skin prick or scratch test. Skin testing is not commonly done if hives are chronic in nature.
- Blood tests: A blood test checks for specific antibodies in your blood. Your body makes antibodies to fight off allergens. The process is part of your immune system but if your body makes too many, it can cause hives and swelling.
When To Contact A Doctor
Individual hives usually disappear within 24 hours, but the condition urticaria may last for over six weeks. If the condition continues to persist, contact a doctor.
Before contacting a doctor about hives, take of the skin. This is because the hives may fade by the appointment date.
If the hives go away but continue to return, the child may have an allergy. A doctor can use testing to assess what the triggering allergen may be.
Angioedema is a condition that can present similar symptoms to hives. However, it causes swelling below the skin, and it can cause more severe symptoms, such as breathing problems or faintness.
If the throat, mouth, lips, or tongue swell up or the child struggles to speak or breathe, seek immediate medical attention. This may be a sign of a severe allergic reaction.
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Rashes Develop When The Skin Is Irritated By Allergic Reactions To Bacteria Viruses Foods Metals And Other Factors Read About The Most Common Causes Of Different Rashes In Children
Rashes are one of the most common reasons that parents of small children visit the doctor. In most cases, rashes do not indicate a dangerous condition, but in some cases, they do. If a child is in good general health and has no other symptoms, you can simply observe the rash for a few days. Many types of rashes will disappear without treatment. If the rash is accompanied by high fever, breathing difficulties, vomiting, or reduced general health , take your child to see a doctor, as it is often difficult to describe rashes over the phone.
One type of rash can have different causes, so let the doctor note what the rash looks like, how widespread it is, how many and how big the marks are, how long the rash has been present, and whether it is itchy. Here’s a rundown of different types of rashes in children.
Son Breaking Out In Hives
S.E.
Sunday night after dinner we noticed that my little one was tugging alot at his shirt and pants, so we pulled off his shirt and found he was broke out in a wierd rash an his arms and legs. Called the nurse on call and after 30 minutes speaking with her and Dr. on call they said get him benadryl, and watch for it to spread. We had an appt. early the next morn with his pediatrician. She said she also thinks it hives and it should go away in a couple days. But it seems to be “traveling” just now I got him out of bed and it’s in totally different places then last night and the other ones are gone. i feel terrible for him! Still giving benadryl, aveeno oatmeal baths, and lathering him with aveeno baby lotion. Anyone have any other tips or suggestions? He doesn’t seem very uncomfortable but Im sure he’s got to be itchy! We havent changed anything with diet, or saops or laundry detergent. So Im sure thats not the problem. Thanks in advance!
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Baby Hives: Causes Symptoms Treatment
Your baby wakes up from a nap covered in pink welts. Besides a little extra fussiness, your baby seems fine, but the welts are everywhere and they alarm you. Within an hour, some of the welts disappear, and then reappear on other parts of your little ones body.
Are these hives? Something else serious? Is your baby in danger? What is causing these? Should you take your baby to the doctor? And if so, when?
If your baby appears to be experiencing hives, its natural for you to feel shocked and worried. Hives have a distressing appearance and its hard not to think something is terribly wrong.
Rest assured, though, except in a small number of cases, hives are generally not a medical emergency, and usually more of an annoyance than anything else.
Heres what there is to know about hives, when to seek medical attention, and what to do if you find yourself caring for a baby who is diagnosed with hives.
To Calm The Itching Or Prickly Feeling
- apply something cold, such as a damp cloth or ice pack for up to 20 minutes
- tap or pat the rash instead of scratching it
- do not use perfumed shower gels or creams
Skin that’s itchy, dry and cracked may be atopic eczema. It’s common behind the knees, elbows and neck, but it can appear anywhere.
Speak to a GP if you think your child has eczema.
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Symptoms Of Baby Hives
So, what do hives look like on a babyâs body? Hives on babies look the same as hives experienced by kids and adults of any age. They may have the following characteristics:
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A pale center
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Pink or red outer area
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Connected rings
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appear on different parts of the body
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feel itchy or stingy or cause a burning sensation.
Because these welts can fade from one area of the body and appear on another, you may notice hives on your baby or toddler that seem to come and go. Pay attention to when they start and how long they last. Remember that hives in kids due to an allergy will appear within minutes, and those lasting more than six weeks are a chronic issue.
Very rarely will other physical symptoms occur at the same time as hives in infants, babies, and toddlers. However, if your baby recently broke out in hives, call their healthcare provider if they also experience nausea, vomiting, or belly pain.
As mentioned above, babies might develop hives when experiencing an allergic reaction. When infants or babies break out in hives as a result of a serious allergy, keep an eye out for these signs of very serious urgent known as anaphylactic shock:
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Trouble breathing
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Swelling around the eyes, lips, or genitals
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Fainting.
If you spot any of the above symptoms, call 911 or take your child to the emergency room.
Sometimes Hives In Kids Can Be Treated At Home
If that first hive isnt accompanied by the above symptoms, its okay to treat the child at home. The main goal will be to help your child feel less miserable, because hives can be extremely itchy and uncomfortable. The hives themselves will usually go away on their own and wont pose further risk to the child in the absence of those other symptoms.
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How To Treat Hives In Children
Has your child broken out in an itchy rash? If so, it could be a case of hives. Fortunately, hives are usually harmless and temporary. Common symptoms of hives include slightly raised, pink or red areas on the skin welts that occur alone, in a group, or connect over a large area and skin swelling that lessens or goes away within minutes or hours.
The best remedy for hives is to try to avoid whatever triggers them, although identifying this is often difficult. One way to help identify your triggers is to keep a log of your childs symptoms, including the day and time the hives occur and how long they last. You should also pay attention to any changes to your childs regular environment that may be contributing to the problem, such as dust, animals or the outdoors.
According to member dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology, many things can trigger hives, including:
- An allergic reaction to food or medication
- Infections, including colds and viruses
- Exercise
- Pollen
- Sun exposure
If your child has hives, dermatologists recommend the following tips to help care for your child at home:
Kids Food Allergies Are On The Rise
As with adults, hives in kids occur in response to some trigger or allergen, often appearing within two hours of exposure. Common allergens include foods, spices, fragrances, topical products like soaps and lotions, pet dander, medications, and insect bites, Dr. Woods says. Other causes include infections , illnesses, stress, physical pressure, extreme temperature changes, exercise, and scratching.
Note, though, that while these are similar to the causes for adults, food stands out for kids. Its more common that kids hives are related to food than adult hives, making it more likely that kids will require allergy testing, says Sarina Elmariah, MD, PhD, a board-certified dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Milk, egg, peanut, wheat, and soy tend to be some of the most common food allergens, Friedman adds. Because kids often outgrow food allergies, theyll probably also outgrow the accompanying hives.
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What Causes Warts In Children
Warts on kids are a type of skin infection caused by the human papillomavirus . There are multiple types of HPV that cause infections in different areas of skin. The infection causes hard bumps to form on your childs skin. Warts most commonly appear on your childs hands and fingers, but they can also appear on their feet, face, genitals and knees. Warts are common in children of all ages. Warts often go away on their own after your childs immune system fights off the virus, but they can be painful and unpleasant in appearance.
Is It Hives Or Angioedema
Angioedema swelling of tissue beneath the surface of the skin can be mistaken for, or associated with hives. It can be caused by allergic reactions, medications or a hereditary deficiency of some enzymes. The following symptoms may indicate angioedema:
- Swelling in the eyes or mouth
- Swelling of the hands, feet or throat
- Difficulty breathing, stomach cramps or swelling of the lining of the eyes
The best way to identify your symptoms is to talk to an allergist who can diagnose and treat both hives and angioedema.
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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.
When To Call The Doctor
- The prescribed antihistamine medicine does not relieve the itching.
- The hives or itching becomes worse or new symptoms develop.
- Your child develops hives after being stung by an insect or after taking a new medicine or eating a certain food. He may need an EpiPen® to treat a more serious reaction next time.
HH-I-82 11/89, Revised 11/17, Nationwide Childrens Hospital
Next Steps
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What Are Birthmarks In Children
There are two main types of birthmarks red birthmarks and pigmented birthmarks. Red birthmarks are skin markings caused by a collection of blood vessels. Pigmented birthmarks are areas in which the color of your childs birthmark is different from their skin color.
Red birthmarks
Strawberry hemangiomas: Strawberry hemangiomas can be found anywhere, but are most commonly found on your babys face, scalp, back or chest. Theyre made up of small, closely packed blood vessels. Strawberry hemangiomas usually fade or go away as your child ages. Some minor discoloration or wrinkling of your childs skin may remain at the site of the hemangioma.
Cavernous hemangiomas: Cavernous hemangiomas look sort of like strawberry hemangiomas. But theyre deeper in your childs skin and often darker in color. They look like reddish-blue spongy masses of tissue filled with blood. Cavernous hemangiomas usually go away on their own as your child ages.
Port-wine stains: Port-wine stains are flat, reddish-purple birthmarks. Theyre made up of dilated blood capillaries. Theyre commonly seen on your childs face and they vary in size. Port-wine stains are permanent, without treatment. They might thicken or darken over time.
Pigmented birthmarks
Pigmented nevi: Pigmented nevi are also called moles. Moles are growths on your babys skin that typically are flesh-colored, brown or black. Moles can appear anywhere on your babys skin. Your baby may have one mole or several in a group.