Hives in children is common and occurs in up to 14% of children.1 Most infants and young children with hives will have acute urticaria (80-90%) which is usually self-limiting and lasts for a short time.1
Less than 10% of children with acute urticaria will develop chronic urticaria (hives every day for 6 weeks or more). Chronic urticaria is more prevalent among adolescents and older children than younger children.1 Of the two forms of chronic urticaria the spontaneous form is far more prevalent than the inducible form (85% and 15% respectively).2
Chronic spontaneous urticaria is not caused by a food allergy but is due to an over-active immune system responding to another perceived threat.2
Photo of hives on a child. Image used with permission from DermNet New Zealand.
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References
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. ASCIA HP Position Paper Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Guidelines 2020. Available from https://allergy.org.au/images/stories/pospapers/ASCIA_HP_Position_Paper_CSU_2020.pdf Accessed July 2024.
- Del Pozzo-Magaña BR. EMJ Dermatol. 2017; 5: 74-82.