Hives or urticaria in children is usually triggered by irritants that cause the skin to erupt in inflamed and red bumps. For a baby, hives can be extremely distressing and can show up anywhere on a child's body including the inside of the mouth. In fact hives can appear in one area, fade away and appear in a totally different area within a matter of hours. Studies have revealed that an episode of hives that appear in children can fade away in a matter of hours but usually takes around 48 hours to completely disappear. However, sometimes hives in babies may last for even a few weeks. Common triggers that cause urticaria in children or baby rash hives include food allergies, specific medications, insect bites, pet dander, extreme warmth or cold, physical contact with certain plants or animals.
In toddlers, hives are commonly seen as parents are usually unable to identify the exact reason for their cause and hence like most allergy reactions it is important to identify and determine the allergen behind it in order to prevent a recurrent episode. In a child, hives may usually appear immediately or after the first dose of any medication and hence it is important to inform your child's pediatrician about the allergic reaction produced by the medication. Almost all appearances of hives in children are generally harmless, but hives and fever is usually a sign of a serious condition and is usually indicative of an infection especially if the child is experiencing other symptoms.
Parents must seek medical attention immediately. Signs that call for medical help include:
In order to reduce the irritation and itching, parents can make use of cool compresses or a cool bath after administering an antihistamine to the child. The medication must be given to the child as prescribed by the doctor or mentioned on the label of the medication. Most pediatricians recommend that the antihistamines medications be given until the hives fade away. It is important to space out the doses farther and farther apart, until the parent is sure that the hives are no longer appearing on the surface of the skin.
Keep the child away from the irritant, once the allergen has been identified. The child must be taught to avoid the triggers or the irritants and must also be told to inform teachers or day care authorities in the event of an allergic reaction. Children who have a history of serious or grave hives rash resulting from foods or insect bites, must always carry antihistamines medications with them at all times. Speak to your general practitioner or the child's pediatrician about the kind of medications available to the child in the event of an allergic reaction.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.