Urticaria

A general term used for an allergic skin reaction, urticaria is also known as nettle rash or hives.

Most children have a tendency to develop hives, but this is gradually lost as they grow older. It is very easy to diagnose because it is the only skin rash which will disappear completely within a few minutes.

The rash, which is very itchy, often looks like a fairly bad nettle sting; it can also form large red patches with uneven edges. It may result in swelling of the eyes, the lips and possibly the tongue. If the latter occurs you must dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance immediately.

What to do

You can do quite a lot to relieve the itchiness by cooling it with calamine lotion. There is no need for any specific treatment unless the attacks are persistent. In this case you should ask for medical advice.

There is a particular form of urticaria called papular urticaria that is caused by flea bites, usually from the fleas on the family cat. I well remember a case of a child who used to appear in our clinic once a month and it turned out that it was always the day after she had been to visit her granny and it was granny's cat who had the fleas. The cure is to get rid of the fleas on the pet, not to get rid of the pet.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 03.11.2010

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