Is this your symptom?
- A very itchy rash made up of raised pink bumps
- Hives vary in shape and size
Symptoms of Hives
- Raised pink bumps with pale centers (welts)
- Hives look like mosquito bites
- Sizes of hives vary from ½ inch (12 mm) to several inches (cm) across
- Shapes and location of hives can be different. They can also change often.
- Itchy rash
Causes of Widespread Hives
- Viral Infection. The most common cause of hives all over the body is a viral infection. Other symptoms such as a fever, cough or diarrhea are also present. The hives may last 3 days. This is not an allergy.
- Bacterial Infection. Some bacterial infections can also cause hives. A common example is Strep. Hives are also seen with bladder or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Drug Reaction. An example is a penicillin rash. Most rashes that start while taking an antibiotic are viral rashes. Allergy tests are normal 90% of the time. Only 10% turn out to be a drug allergy.
- Food Reaction. May be an allergy or a coincidence. If it is a high risk food (such as peanuts), consult an allergist. Hives from foods usually resolve in 6 hours. Hives from infections last for days. Only 3% of hives are due to a food.
- Bee Sting. Widespread hives after a sting may be part of a serious allergic reaction. Need to consult an allergist.
- Anaphylactic Reaction (very serious). The sudden start of hives with trouble breathing or swallowing. This is a severe allergic reaction to a food or drug. Most often begins within 30 minutes of swallowing the substance; always within 2 hours of exposure. It can happen even if you have had that food or drug before and did not have a reaction then. Call 911 right away.
- Unknown. More than 30% of the time, the cause of hives is not found.
Causes of Localized Hives
- Irritants. Hives just in one area of the body are usually due to skin contact with an irritant. They are not an allergy.
- Plants. Many plants cause skin reactions. Sap from evergreens can cause local hives.
- Pollen. Laying in the grass can cause hives on exposed skin.
- Pet Saliva. Some people get hives where a dog or cat has licked them.
- Food. Some people get hives if a food is in contact with their skin. An example could be a fresh fruit.
- Insect Bite. Local hives are a reaction to the insect's saliva. Can be very large without being an allergy.
- Bee Sting. This is a reaction to the bee's venom. Can be very large without being an allergy.
- Localized hives are not caused by drugs, infections or swallowed foods. These get into the bloodstream and cause widespread hives.
When to Call for Hives
Call 911 Now
Go to ER Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call 911 Now
- Previous hives and a life-threatening allergic reaction to a substance in the past and exposure less than 2 hours ago
- Passed out or very weak and can't stand
- Trouble breathing or wheezing
- Hoarse voice or cough start all of a sudden
- Throat or tongue started swelling all of a sudden
- You think you have a life-threatening emergency
Go to ER Now
- Hives start within 2 hours after a bee sting
- Severe hives (such as eyes swollen shut or very itchy)
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Hives start after eating a high-risk food, such as nuts, fish, shellfish, or eggs.
- Hives started after taking a prescription medicine
- Hives started after exposure to something you have had a reaction to before
- Stomach pain or vomiting
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Hives started after taking an over-the-counter medicine
- Hives make it hard to go to work, school or do other activities. Note: taking Benadryl for 24 hours has not helped.
- Fever or joint swelling is present
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Food could be the cause
- Had hives 3 or more times in past year with no known cause
- Hives last more than 1 week
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Mild hives with no other problems
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
