The disease can occur at any age, but urticaria is most often diagnosed in children. According to statistics, every fifth child has encountered this condition at least once in their life.
What is hives?
Hives (urticaria) is an allergic reaction of the immune system to internal or external stimuli, which manifests itself in the form of characteristic rashes on the skin due to the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
The disease got its name because the rashes are similar to those that appear after contact with nettles.
What does hives look like in a child?
It is important for parents to know what hives look like. The main symptom of the disease is pink or red blisters (urticaria) of various sizes (from a few millimeters to several centimeters) on different parts of the body. Their central part is lighter, and the edges are redder. When pressed on the urticaria, they briefly turn pale, and then return to their previous color.
The rashes have clear boundaries and are raised above the skin surface. They may merge to form large areas of lesions. A characteristic feature is the rapid appearance and rapid disappearance (within 1-24 hours) of the rashes, but new elements may appear on other parts of the body.
What are the symptoms of urticaria in children?
In addition to the characteristic rashes, urticaria in a child may be accompanied by:
- severe itching (especially at night), burning or tingling of the affected area of skin;
- redness of the skin around the rashes;
- sleep disturbance due to itching;
- a slight increase in body temperature.
If urticaria is a manifestation of a food allergy, digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain) are possible.
Types of urticaria in children
There are several classifications of the disease.
Depending on the duration of the course, urticaria can be:
- acute (occurs in most cases) – passes within 6 weeks, sometimes the rashes disappear after a few hours;
- chronic – lasts more than 6 weeks, often with periods of remission and exacerbation.
According to the mechanism of occurrence, urticaria is distinguished:
- allergic – reaction to an allergen (food, medicine, insect bites);
- non-allergic – not associated with an allergic reaction, may occur due to physical factors.
Depending on the provoking factors, urticaria is classified as:
- contact – develops when the skin comes into contact with chemicals or other irritants;
- dermographic – occurs as a result of mechanical irritation of the skin (scratches, friction from clothing);
- cold - manifests itself upon contact with ice, cold air, cold water or cold objects;
- thermal – develops when body temperature increases (due to physical exertion, taking a hot bath, contact with hot objects);
- solar – appears under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
- aquagenic – occurs upon contact with water of any temperature;
- cholinergic – caused by an increase in body temperature after taking a hot bath, due to physical exertion or emotional stress;
- Autoimmune – caused by autoimmune disorders, which cause the body to attack its own tissues.
Hives in children are not just a rash, but a signal from the body about an internal imbalance or external influence. The main thing is not to panic, but to consult a pediatrician in time to identify the cause and prevent complications.
Causes of urticaria in children
Various factors can provoke urticaria:
- food products: eggs, dairy products, fish and seafood, nuts, citrus fruits, strawberries, chocolate, honey, food additives (colorants, preservatives);
- medications: antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antipyretics, analgesics, sulfonamides, B vitamins;
- infections: viral (ARVI, herpes, hepatitis), bacterial (urinary tract infections, tonsillitis), fungal;
- parasitic infestations: helminthiasis, giardiasis;
- hypothermia and overheating of the body;
- sunlight,
- physical activity;
- body coat;
- plant pollen, animal hair, house dust;
- insect bites (bees, wasps, mosquitoes);
- household chemicals, cosmetics;
- stress and psycho-emotional tension;
- endocrine pathologies (malfunctions in the functioning of the thyroid gland);
- autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus);
- hereditary predisposition.
In 30-40% of cases, the specific cause of the pathology cannot be established. In this case, we speak of an idiopathic form of the disease.
Methods of treating urticaria
Only a pediatrician can answer the question of how to treat urticaria in children after examining the child and finding out the possible causes of the pathology. It is strictly forbidden to engage in self-medication, which can lead to serious complications and a significant deterioration in the general condition.
Before starting therapy, it is important to eliminate the root cause of the disease:
- exclude foods from the diet that can provoke allergies;
- cancel suspected medications;
- cure concomitant infections;
- avoid contact with physical irritants.
Treatment of urticaria should be comprehensive and combine symptomatic and systemic therapy.
The basis of systemic therapy is antihistamines, which block the action of histamine. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe glucocorticosteroids, and in chronic cases, immunomodulatory drugs.
Symptomatic therapy may include anti-inflammatory drugs and topical agents (menthol and camphor creams) that relieve itching.
How to treat hives in children at home?
Home treatment of urticaria is possible only as a supplement to basic therapy and should include:
1. Creating a hypoallergenic environment:- maintaining cleanliness in the room, regular wet cleaning;
- use of bed linen made of hypoallergenic materials;
- wearing loose clothing made from natural fabrics;
- eliminating potential allergens from the child's environment (dust, wool, pollen).
- following a hypoallergenic diet;
- exclusion from the menu of products that can provoke the release of histamine (smoked meats, fermented cheeses, preservatives);
- ensuring sufficient drinking regime.
- wiping the skin with a soda solution (1 teaspoon per glass of water);
- taking cool baths with the addition of soda (1 tablespoon per bath);
- lubricating the skin with mild moisturizers that do not contain fragrances.
Before treating hives at home, you should consult a pediatrician.
Why is urticaria dangerous for children?
In most cases, hives do not pose a serious threat to a child's health, but sometimes they can cause serious complications:
- Angioedema (angioedema) - swelling of the deep layers of the skin. Swelling of the larynx is especially dangerous, which can lead to difficulty breathing and asphyxia.
- Anaphylactic shock is a systemic allergic reaction characterized by a sharp drop in blood pressure, pallor, cold sweat, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness.
- Secondary infection - when scratching the rashes, a bacterial infection may join, which complicates the course of the disease and requires additional treatment.
Angioedema and anaphylactic shock are life-threatening. In such cases, emergency medical care is necessary!