What Are the Causes of Chronic Hives in Infants?

Hives may also be referred to as chronic urticaria, wheals or welts. Hives usually occur for short periods of time and then resolve; however, children may experience chronic hives if they are continually exposed to an allergy trigger or if they have an underlying medical condition causing the hives. Hives lasting longer than six weeks are considered to be chronic hives.

Significance

• According to Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrician and author of several parenting books, hives occur when the body experiences a hypersensitive reaction. Hives are the result of blood and fluids leaking from veins and capillaries that occur after the release of histamine.

Features

• Hives appears as localized swelling. The hives may occur on one part of the body or all over the body. They may be extremely itchy or not itchy at all.

Time Frame

• Hives often occur within minutes after being exposed to an allergen and usually disappear within a short period of time. Chronic hives, however, last for longer periods of time and recur more often.

Causes

• According to Greene, the most common causes of hives are food items (such as peanuts, eggs, berries, shellfish and fish), antibiotics, insect stings, insect bites, cat scratches and airborne substances such as pet dander, mold and pollen. Hives may also occur along with infections such as pinworm and strep throat.

Considerations

• Chronic hives may occur as the result of underlying medical condition such as lupus or thyroid disease. A physician should be consulted concerning chronic hives.

Treatment

• Hives are typically treated with antihistamines or possibly epinephrine if breathing difficulties occur. Treatment may also involve treating underlying health conditions.