What to Do if Your Children Have Hives

The presence of hives on your child’s body is often enough to give any parent a mild panic attack. The first thought is that your child is having an allergic reaction to something and that he or she is in serious danger. However, hives are not always so dramatic. Sometimes they’re just raised red bumps that occur for a much less stressful reason such as nerves or even cold weather. While they can be dangerous, you must keep an eye on your child’s hives to ensure they are not. Here are a few ways to deal.

Call the Doctor

Hives can be very scary. Whenever you’re not confident you know what’s going on or you’re just more comfortable with medical treatment, call the doctor. Your pediatrician is perfectly capable of easing your mind and recommending treatment for your child’s hives.

Have Medication on Hand

The best thing you can do for kids with hives is always have some sort of antihistamine on hand. Benadryl – provided your child has no allergies to it – is great for hives. Once you notice them appear on your child’s body, give him or her some Benadryl and it should cause the hives to stop swelling, itching and burning.

Consider Allergy Medications

If your child seems to have hives regularly because of allergies, it’s time to consider an allergy medication that might prevent hives from occurring regularly. Your child’s doctor can help you decide what’s right for your child, though older children can sometimes take over-the-counter allergy meds such as Allegra or Claritin.

Keep a Journal

An isolated incident with hives is one thing, but if your child is breaking out frequently, you need to keep a journal. In it you will want to write down anything your child comes into contact with that day, including food, beverages, outdoors, clothing, and anything in between. You’ll begin to notice a pattern after a while.

Stay Away from Triggers

Now that you have a journal outlining your little one’s triggers, keep him or her away from those. For example, if you notice your little one seems to break out after eating strawberries, keep your child as far from strawberries as possible to avoid a flare up.

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