HIVES

MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAS BEEN GETTING HIVES ON HER SIDES FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.  RECENTLY THERE SEEM TO BE MORE HIVES WITH EACH OCCURANCE.  I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THEM AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO.  CAN SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THIS.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.Many cases of hives are "idiopathic," meaning no cause is known. Others may be triggered by viral infections or medications.

The mainstay of treatment of hives is antihistamine. Double conventional doses of non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine or  Loratadine may be needed to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamines such as Chlorphenamine(benadryl) are used at night to get urticaria control.These antihistaminics are available over the counter but as your daughter is only 5 yrs old,so it would be better to consult a pediatrician before giving any medicines.Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids may be needed for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.
She may alsotake Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment. Vitamin C is a general anti-allergy supplement. It helps stabilize mast cells so they are less likely to release histamine.Application of calamine lotion will also help in soothing the skin.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted on how your daughter is doing or if you have any additional doubts.Warm regards.