Hives
What are hives?
Your child has hives when:
- Your child has itchy, raised pink spots with pale
centers. They often look like mosquito bites. They may
be different sizes and shapes.
- The spots change size and shape. They may move from one
area on the body to another.
Your child may be allergic to a food, medicine, insect
bites, or other things. This causes the hives. Hives do
not spread to other people. They come and go for a few days
and then go away.
How can I take care of my child?
- Give your child antihistamine medicine. This medicine
won't cure the hives, but it will help the itching and
reduce the number of hives.
Your child's medicine is _______________________. Give
_____ every ____ hours.
Be sure to keep giving the medicine until you are sure
the hives are completely gone for 24 hours. Other wise
your child may get itchy again.
- Make sure your child stays away from anything you think
may have caused the hives.
- Have your child take a shower, if the hives were caused
by pollen or animals.
Call your child's doctor right away if:
- It gets hard for your child to breathe or swallow.
- Your child starts to act very sick.
Call your child's doctor during office hours if:
- Most of the itch is not better after your child has taken
the medicine for 24 hours.
- The hives last more than 1 week.
- You have other concerns or questions.
Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.