We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Causes of Hives in Children?

By Rhonda Rivera
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,053
Share

Hives in children are often an allergic reaction to food, medication, and other everyday things children come into contact with. Food additives or an intolerance to a new food might be the cause of a sudden onset of hives. A new medication can also cause hives in children, making him or her uncomfortable and itchy. Insect bites from exploring the outdoors could also be to blame. Sometimes, even a change in weather temperatures can cause or aggravate a hives rash.

Shellfish, peanuts, and soy are common food allergies, and consumption of even a small amount of these foods may have a negative effect on someone who is allergic to them. It is not always obvious the child consumed a new food; for example, a parent might order his or her child’s favorite and often-consumed dish at a restaurant only to have the child break out in hives later on because the dish was cooked in peanut oil. The food could also be contaminated in other ways, such as being prepared using the same utensils or cooking pan as other food. To avoid a hives rash brought on by food allergies, parents can introduce new food with caution, inform restaurant staff of known allergies, and be careful when preparing and cooking food at home.

Hives in children is sometimes the result of using a new medication, either prescription or over the counter. If this is the obvious cause of a medication, a health professional should be consulted on whether or not to discontinue its use. In many cases, the parent will be advised to stop usage immediately, and be prescribed a different drug.

Weather conditions or indoor spaces that are uncomfortably warm may also cause or worsen hives in children. The child may begin to sweat, causing his or her skin to become moist and irritated after a while. In addition, this type of hives in children can be caused by cold weather, even if the child is not sweating. Tight clothing will usually aggravate these conditions.

It is not unusual for the cause of hives to remain undiscovered. The child could be allergic to something he or she came in contact with indirectly. It could also be due to exposure to the sun or a sunlamp, which are not reasons commonly considered. Depending on the cause, hives in children can last anywhere from less than a day to more than six weeks.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-causes-of-hives-in-children.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.