It was a bewildering moment the first time it occurred. My son, a mere 8 months old, had a couple of flat red bumps on his plump little legs. Initially, we assumed they were just mosquito bites. But within an hour, those bumps vanished, only to be replaced by new ones on his arm. He was happily playing and giggling, showing no signs of discomfort, but when hives spread across his cherubic face, I knew it was time for a medical visit.
I’ll admit it: I can be a bit of a worrywart. I never was until I became a parent, but any unusual symptom in my child sends me spiraling into thoughts of rare diseases. Even with my baby seemingly content and not itching, I couldn’t shake my fears.
The doctor examined him, diagnosed him with hives, and sent us home. My first question was, “What caused this?” The response was vague: “It could be a virus or something he ate; hard to say.” Hard to say? Aren’t you the experts?
We never pinpointed the cause, and it lasted a frustrating two weeks, which the doctor assured me was normal. Unfortunately, this is often the response when children suffer from hives without other concerning symptoms.
Fast forward to the second episode, when my son was 4 years old. We were busy painting Easter eggs when his neck suddenly turned red, and he began to scratch. Moments later, I noticed red patches on his shoulders. Could it be sunburn? It was unusually warm for early April, and we had been outside.
But within an hour, he was covered in welts, and I immediately suspected hives. This time, they seemed to be bothering him more, and with family plans on the horizon, I wanted to address his discomfort and ensure he wouldn’t spread anything contagious (hives themselves aren’t contagious).
We rushed him to the doctor, who confirmed it was indeed hives. This time, we had a potential culprit: an antibiotic he had been taking for a double ear infection, suggesting a possible allergic reaction. However, the doctor remained cautious, stating, “It’s really hard to determine the exact cause of hives.” After examining his ears, she advised stopping the antibiotics and noted in his chart that he should avoid them in the future.
I felt more at ease this time; I understood what hives were, how to manage them (thank you, Benadryl!), and that they weren’t life-threatening. But the next night, everything changed dramatically. My son suddenly complained of pain in his knee and foot, and then said his hand hurt so much he couldn’t hold his spoon. Alarmed, I saw that his hand, foot, and knee were bright red, swollen, and covered in hives.
It was time for another dose of Benadryl, which I hoped would alleviate the flare-up. However, moments later, he struggled to walk and began stumbling, whimpering that everything hurt. Let me tell you, watching your child seemingly unable to walk due to pain is enough to send any parent into a full-blown panic.
I called the doctor’s office (my son’s vitals were stable enough to not warrant 911) and took a deep breath, reminding myself that this could be part of an allergic reaction. I recalled that hives result from excess histamine in the body, which can lead to swelling and inflammation. But I never expected it would render my otherwise healthy child incapable of walking. Terrifying doesn’t begin to describe it.
My favorite doctor answered, patiently guiding me through a series of questions to rule out serious reactions. She checked for fever, eating habits, and breathing, finally concluding that he was fine. The swelling and discomfort were likely due to edema from the histamine reaction. She recommended his Benadryl dose, some Motrin, and an appointment for the next day if he didn’t improve.
Once the medication took effect, he became much more comfortable and slept soundly through the night. By morning, he was back to his energetic self. The hives eventually faded, but not before he caught a stomach bug (because, of course, that’s how luck works when you’re a parent).
So yes, sometimes your child inexplicably breaks out in hives, and if you find yourself panicking, you’re not alone. They are sudden, alarming, itchy, and can lead to swelling, with no clear cause in sight. After diving deep into the world of childhood hives online (trust me, avoid those Facebook parenting groups unless you want to see an endless stream of horror stories), I’ve gathered some key points to help ease your worries should you face a similar situation. Here’s what you need to know, courtesy of Seattle Children’s Hospital:
- Most hives are caused by viral infections (which I suspect was the case with my infant son after a cold). Other triggers include bacterial infections, food allergies, bee stings, and reactions to medications. Hives resulting from skin contact with irritants typically remain localized. About 30% of hives have no identifiable cause.
- Hives can vary significantly in size, ranging from small spots to large patches. They often resemble mosquito bites, typically itch, and can change location during the reaction. My doctor indicated that the entire episode may last from a week up to 10 days!
- The majority of hives cases are not life-threatening. If a serious allergic reaction were occurring, you would see symptoms within 30 minutes to two hours. Signs of anaphylaxis include difficulty swallowing or breathing; if you notice these, call 911 immediately.
Does that help alleviate your concerns? Often, the worst part is that your child looks ridiculous, you’re left wondering what’s wrong, and there’s plenty of itching involved.
But if you’re ever uncertain, don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor, dial 911, or rush to the ER. While conditions like hives are typically harmless, it’s always best to err on the side of caution regarding your little ones’ health. And speaking of health, if you’re interested in understanding fertility options, check out this post on fertility boosters for men.
In summary, hives can be a common yet distressing experience for both children and parents. By understanding their causes and knowing when to seek medical advice, you can feel more prepared to handle these unexpected situations.