Hives in young children can be caused by immune responses, sensitivity to temperature, skin, or fever, and food allergies. Treatment with antihistamines or an elimination diet may be necessary. Severe symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Hives, also known as bruises, are typically small, reddened areas of skin that may feel raised and itchy. Hives in young children are relatively common and can cause great distress to parents. Hives develop as a natural response from the immune system, but that doesn’t always mean your child is having an allergic reaction. Hives in babies can also occur due to sudden changes in temperature, sensitive skin, or fever. Treatment for hives in children usually only requires treatment with a drug known as an antihistamine, although developing severe symptoms may require immediate medical attention.
Hives in young children can develop whenever the child is ill, especially if a fever or infection is present. The immune system has not had time to fully develop in a young child, so some immune reactions can be exaggerated as the body learns which substances are truly harmful to the body. Sensitivity to soaps or detergents can also lead to hives in young children. Babies with particularly sensitive skin may develop hives from friction or from wearing clothes made from certain materials or fabrics.
Food allergies or sensitivities are common causes of hives in young children. This is the age when the child starts experimenting with different foods and some of these foods may not be well tolerated by the body. A special type of doctor known as a dermatologist can perform some simple tests to determine if your child has any real food allergies. Even if no allergies are detected, your child may still have food sensitivities that can lead to hives. If this is suspected, your doctor may recommend an elimination diet to see if the hives stop appearing when certain foods are removed from the diet.
Diphenhydramine is a type of medication known as an antihistamine and can help relieve some of the uncomfortable symptoms of hives, such as itching and swelling. Adding some oatmeal to your bath water may also help relieve some of these symptoms. In most cases, hives will disappear on their own within a couple of days.
In rare cases, developing hives in young children can indicate a severe allergic reaction to some type of allergen, such as food, chemicals, or insect stings or stings. If your child’s face begins to swell or if your child appears to be having difficulty breathing, immediate medical attention is needed. Such serious allergic reactions can be potentially fatal if not adequately treated immediately.
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