Hives (Urticaria)

Hives, also called ‘urticaria,’ are itchy, raised bumps or welts on your child’s skin that can appear suddenly. These bumps often show up on their chest, stomach, or back. While they can be uncomfortable, hives are usually temporary and don’t leave any scars. They can be short-term, lasting just a few hours to a few days, or they can be long-lasting, coming and going for more than six weeks.

Hives might look reddish, purple, or gray and can appear in groups or spread out, sometimes forming rings or resembling mosquito bites. For many children, hives don’t cause much trouble, but they can sometimes make kids fussy, itchy, or experience swelling in places like the hands or lips. In rare cases, hives can signal a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which might cause difficulty breathing, dizziness, or severe swelling.

Hives are often caused by allergies, but they can also pop up for other reasons. Common triggers include certain foods like shellfish, nuts, or strawberries, medications, insect bites, and even stress or changes in temperature. Infections or exposure to plants, pollen, and chemicals can also cause hives.

Treating hives depends on how severe they are. To help your child feel better in mild cases, you can use cold compresses or give them a bath with baking soda or oatmeal. Over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl can also be helpful. For children older than one year, you can give about one teaspoon of Benadryl per 25 pounds of their body weight every 6 hours, up to 4 times a day.

If your child has hives while having trouble breathing, wheezing, or swelling of their face or tongue, call us immediately. If the hives last more than 48 hours or seem to be getting worse, please reach out to us.

To make your child more comfortable, try keeping them cool with a fan or cool bath and avoiding heat and sun exposure. Most kids with hives recover completely without any long-term issues.