Hives in children

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An overview of the causes, symptoms and treatment of hives — the raised, itchy, red swellings that can appear on the skin.

Key points

Hives are raised, itchy, red swellings of different sizes that appear on the skin and can move around the skin.
Seek medical assistance right away if you suspect the hives are a symptom of anaphylaxis.
Infections, such as viruses, or allergic reactions to medications, food or other allergens often cause hives.
An oral antihistamine can usually ease the hives.
See your child's doctor if your child keeps getting hives.

Introduction

What are hives?

Hives are raised, itchy, red bumps (swellings) on the skin. They can be of different sizes and can appear anywhere on your child's body.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of hives

Hives can either be acute or chronic. Acute hives appear suddenly and last for only a few hours or days. Chronic hives last for at least six weeks and in some cases last for several months or even years at a time.

Hives may look like:

red, raised swellings or welts of various sizes (they can range from a few millimeters to a few centimeters long)
one single swelling or welt covering a large area of the skin
a group of welts that disappear and appear again

A child with hives may also have:

severe itching
burning, stinging or prickliness in the area of the swellings

Causes, risk factors and prevalence

What causes hives?

Hives are caused by inflammation in the skin. In most cases, acute hives are often associated with a virus or an allergic reaction to certain foods or medications. The most common allergies that trigger hives are:

medications
food such as tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, milk and fish
other allergens like animal dander, insect stings or pollen

Hives can be a sign of anaphylaxis, which is a severe, and sometimes fatal, allergic reaction.

In some cases, you may not be able to tell what caused your child’s hives.

Treatment

What you can do to help your child with hives

If your child keeps getting hives, try to see if the episodes have a common factor, such as a particular food, medication or place. If you have an idea of what might be triggering the hives, tell your child's doctor during your next visit.

If your child is experiencing hives, you can give your child an oral antihistamine, which may relieve the symptoms. Your child's doctor or pharmacist can suggest a product. Ask your child's doctor how long to give the antihistamine after the rash has disappeared.

What your child's doctor can do for your child with hives

If your child’s hives have lasted for more than six weeks, make an appointment to see your doctor. They may refer your child to an allergist. The allergist may help identify the source of the hives or prescribe other medications to help with symptoms. However, often the cause of chronic hives is not identified.

When to seek medical attention

When to seek medical assistance

Take your child to the nearest Emergency Department, or call 911, if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms in addition to their hives.

Trouble breathing
Swelling, particularly of the face, throat, lips and tongue
Dizziness
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Tightness of the throat
Hoarse voice (sudden onset)
Lightheadedness

These are signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. If you have had to give your child epinephrine for anaphylaxis, you should also go to the hospital, since the symptoms can start again after the epinephrine is given.

Resources

Hives resources

Hives on dark skin - Mayo Clinic

Last updated: March 23rd 2021