Baby’s skin is very delicate, so they are more likely to develop various skin problems. One such condition is skin hives in babies. It can cause rashes all over the body, leaving your baby irritable and itchy. Hives on a baby’s skin can occur due to several factors. Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for skin hives in newborns.
What Are Hives?
Hives is a skin reaction characterized by tiny, red bumps localized to a body part or spread across the body. It is also called urticaria or skin hives. Hives can appear and then completely disappear in a few hours. They could also switch places by randomly disappearing on one part of the body and appearing on another (1). It can sometimes be associated with a condition called “angioedema” which is puffiness swelling of the face, eyelids, ears, mouth, hands, feet, or genitals. Several conditions and situations can trigger hives in infants.
What Causes Hives In Babies?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, reasons are unknown for about 30% of cases of skin hives caused in infants (2). Hives form when blood plasma leaks out of the blood vessels and flows into the skin. The leakage is caused by the chemical histamine, which is secreted by the immune system cells called mast cells that are present in the bloodstream. Mast cells release histamine to cause hives in the following conditions: Apart from the ones mentioned above, hives may also be caused by autoimmune disorders. Therefore, it is not always easy to diagnose the cause of hives
What Are the Symptoms of Hives In Babies?
Skin hives can be identified at home. When looking for skin hives, check for the following symptoms on the baby’s skin (2) (14).
Presence of welts: Welts are small mosquito-like bite bumps in different parts of the body. A welt is a classic symptom of hives, and most associated with the condition.
Display of wheals: The skin develops wheals, a broad raised bump of a pink or reddish tone. The skin is blotched with these patches that are predominantly concentrated around the back, leg, neck, and face.
Wheals and welts change shape: Patches caused by hives would change shape randomly, from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Some hives may be elongated, shaped like a worm.
Change in locations: The rashes would appear and disappear over a short period.
Itchiness and fussiness: The hives rash would often itch, causing irritation and discomfort to the baby and making them fussy.
Take your baby to the doctor once you see hives, as it is good to get a medical opinion.
How Are Skin Hives Diagnosed?
A doctor would diagnose hives by looking for physical signs and learning more about the baby’s medical history, allergies, and general lifestyle. A blood test could be done to rule out pathogens in the blood if the pediatrician suspects an underlying infection. An accurate diagnosis is made after analyzing the report. However, most of the time blood tests do not provide the answers. (15). The treatment methods for hives are efficient, but what also works great is the use of home remedies to treat hives in infants.
Home Remedies For Hives In Babies
As per pediatric guidance, parents can manage hives at home while using the suggested medication. Here are some home remedies to try: Home remedies for hives are simple, but at times they may not be of effective help. In such a case, medical intervention is warranted.
How To Treat Hives In Babies?
Hives usually cure on their own without any treatment (15). Nevertheless, a doctor may prescribe a medication to control the symptoms and treat the underlying cause of the condition:
Antihistamines are a standard prescription medicine administered to bring down the itching and redness caused by hives, and not cure the condition. These medicines are effective, baby-safe, and do not make the little one drowsy. Although they are available OTC, it is best to consult a doctor before using them.
Steroids are only prescribed in severe cases, as they have side-effects (18). They are used only in case of chronic hives or when the baby shows no response to antihistamines. Steroids are administered for shorter duration (five days to two weeks) to prevent side-effects.
Antibiotics and antiviral medicines do not treat hives but cure the underlying bacterial or viral infection that has led to hives.
In severe chronic cases other modalities of treatment might be offered by your doctor.
If any of these symptoms occur with hives, contact your doctor immediately:
If your baby struggles to breath If there is tightness in the throat Nausea and vomiting Cramps and stomach pain If the child becomes unconscious
How To Prevent Hives In Babies?
The risk of hives can be significantly mitigated by taking the following steps:
Protect the baby from allergens. Keep the baby away from any substance that you know could trigger an allergic reaction. Babies who are allergic to pollen should stay indoors to prevent inhalation of pollen. In the case of sweat-induced hives, keep the baby in a cool environment. Maintain a log of baby’s allergies so that you and other family members are aware of the potential triggers.
Clean the baby and change clothes: Do this when you come from outside, as the skin and clothes could trap microscopic pollen and dust that may cause allergy-induced skin hives.
Maintain favorable temperature and humidity: If it is too hot, then use an air conditioner to control the baby’s sweating. In winters, when the weather gets too dry, use a humidifier as it will keep the baby’s skin hydrated. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of only cool-mist humidifiers for infants (19).
Protect the baby from pathogenic infections: Virus and bacteria can induce skin hives. Shield the baby from pathogens by maintaining good hygiene and feeding the baby well for strong immunity.
Use baby laundry detergent: Potential allergens from regular detergents could linger on the clothes even after a wash. To prevent this, use only baby laundry detergents to wash an infant’s clothes. These detergents are formulated using chemicals that are soft and harmless on a baby’s delicate skin.
