How to Treat Hives in Children

Hives which are also called as welts or wheals are skin rashes that appear red and raised. Hives look like insect bites. Hives generally occur in children due to allergic reaction to medicines or food, an insect bite, exposure to an irritant like pesticides or a viral infection.Hives occurs often in children and most parents have the question as to are hives contagious. However, they are not contagious. Usually hives wade off in one to two hours. In some cases, hives can get severe and can last for a longer period. However, hives can be treated easily by over the counter medications depending on the severity of the condition and the location of hives.

Symptoms of hives in children:

Some of the common symptoms that appear in children are:

• itching, burning, or stinging sensation
• welts or wheals may appear either localized or all over the body
• lesions can occur in various sizes and in any location of the body
• If the skin becomes tensed, pain can occur in lesions
• several smaller welts may merge to form one larger welt

Treatment for hives in children:

Hives are usually harmless and there is no need to panic if your child develops them as they are likely to disappear on their own. If the condition of hives in your child is severe, seek medical attention. Benadryl is the standard treatment for hives in children. It is advisable to give a dose of Benadryl at the first sign of hives. It is advisable not to wait to give Benadryl to see if the hives go away on their own because some allergic reactions can proceed quickly. The sooner the Benadryl is given, the less harsh the reaction will be. Fortunately, there are many methods you can perform to lessen or eliminate hives in children.

1. You should give an over the counter antihistamine such as Benadryl to your child as soon as you notice the hives. The dose of antihistamine varies from child to child. It depends on the child's weight and age. This medication can be given in every six hours or more frequently if instructed by the child's doctor.
2. If hives appear across a large area in your child's skin, soak her/him in a lukewarm bath. Adding oatmeal or tea tree oil into the bath will help reduce itchiness and redness of hives.
3. When there is too much itching due to hives, apply a topical ointment or soothing gel preferably one that contains aloe vera extract. This will help reduce itching. In more severe cases, your doctor will prescribe a corticosteroid cream, but this will have side effects, so one must use it under medical administration. Applying over the counter hydrocortisone cream on the affected area to relieve extremely itching hives is also effective.
4. Apply ice to the affected area in order to reduce swelling and ease itching. Massage the area with cold pack for 20 minutes. A cool bath after every couple of hours can also help in lessening or eliminating hives.
5. Avoid tight fitting clothes, hot showers or baths and other causes of skin irritation as these may worsen itching and swelling.
6. Antihistamines can be given to reduce hives in your child. You can either use an over the counter antihistamine or a prescribed antihistamine.
7. Steroids can be given orally or injected to stop inflammation and swelling caused by hives on your child's skin.
8. Consult the child's doctor if the cause of the hives is unknown, if the child suffers from life threatening allergies, or if this is the first case of hives. In a case of emergency such as fever, dizziness, facial swelling you will need medical attention immediately.

Watch the child closely for signs of a worsening effect, such as swelling of the face or tongue, trouble breathing, wheezing, pale skin or persistent vomiting. If any of these symptoms found, take the child for the treatment.