How to treat hives in children

CHILDREN often break out in hives, which are characterised by a raised, flat pink rash called wheals. Hives are most often caused by allergies.

Certain foods can trigger them, as can insect bites or some medication.

Another cause of  hives is direct physical stimulation of the skin,  for example, cold, heat, sun exposure, vibration, pressure, sweating, and exercise.

Dr Tamatha Urquhart, is a paediatrician, from Pretoria who specialises in allergies.

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“Hives can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, lips, tongue, throat or ears. They may change shape, move around, disappear and reappear over short periods of time. When a person is exposed to something that can trigger hives, certain cells in the body release a substance called histamine. This causes fluid to leak from the small blood vessels under the skin. When this fluid collects under the skin, it forms the blotches, which we call hives.They vary in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres and may join together to form larger areas. They can last for hours, or up to one day before fading,” said Urquhart.

The most common foods that cause hives are nuts, fish, tomatoes, eggs and dairy.

“Certain food additives and preservatives also play a big role,” added Urquhart.

The medical term for hives is urticaria. Hives lasting less than six weeks are called acute urticaria.

Hives lasting more than six weeks are called chronic urticaria. If a child’s hives last for more than a month, one should make an appointment with an allergist, who will take a history and perform a thorough physical exam to determine the cause of your child’s symptoms.

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Therapies range from prescription antihistamines and other drugs, such as anti-inflammatory medications and medications that may modify your immune system. In mild cases of hives, a doctor may determine that no treatment is required.

However, to make a child less itchy and more comfortable, the doctor might suggest an oral antihistamine. Less often, hives can be a sign of a more serious allergic reaction that can affect breathing and other body functions. In these cases, the person needs immediate medical care.

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