Hives are an allergic disease that appears as spots or red, intensely itchy plaques on the skin. Prevalence depends on age and environmental conditions, as well as comorbidities. The most common allergic dermatosis is recurrent urticaria.
The swelling and itching caused by hives can be severe. The feature that distinguishes this disease from others is red spots on the surface of the skin. They have irregular edges and small bubbles. Typically, hives are caused by allergies. When an allergen enters the body, histamine is released into the bloodstream and causes: swelling, redness and itching.
What are blisters and their features
In most cases, blisters in a child do not linger for a long time, which is explained by their structure. These are cavityless formations that are a consequence of acute inflammation of the surface layer of the skin. Almost always the child itches because of blisters; they cause him severe discomfort. Most often, the bubbles are round in shape, but sometimes oval elements are also found. The color of the rash varies from pinkish to red, white or gray.
A similar rash appears during exudation, when blood plasma enters the intercellular space. In this state, it is easier for the immune system to act on pathogens that have entered the body. Transparent or white blisters in a child occur on different parts of the body. It all depends on the pathogen, allergen or other provoking factor that caused the inflammation. For example, large blisters on a child are most likely caused by a burn, but they are classified as injuries rather than rashes.
Blisters are also called urticaria. They are slightly raised and denser areas of skin that are formed as a result of swelling of the dermis, which is the middle layer of the skin. In general, such elements are called urticaria. In young children, it is accompanied by constant restlessness and the presence of scratching marks in areas of maximum rash.
What does urticaria look like in children?
The name of this disease is no coincidence: it really looks like a nettle burn. Characteristic symptoms are pink, sometimes red blisters. Their size can vary widely - from a few millimeters to 10 centimeters, adjacent blisters can merge with each other. The blisters have a clear border and rise above the surface of the skin. When pressed, they disappear, then appear again. Another common symptom of the disease is itchy skin.
The photo below shows examples of what urticaria can look like. You can find other photos on the Internet.
On the legs and arms
Blisters in a child’s extremities occur due to insufficient hygiene. Even microcracks can become a “gateway” for infection, which provokes local inflammation. If the blisters resemble hives, then this is an allergy, which can be provoked by:
- food products;
- contact with synthetic clothing;
- medications;
- dust;
- freezing;
- Pets.
In this case, blisters may appear on the palms and soles of the feet. They are accompanied by other allergic symptoms. This can be severe itching, watery eyes, sneezing, sore throat, etc. There are practically no diseases that could cause blisters of this localization, but it is still worth visiting a doctor with your child.
How to treat urticaria in a child?
Treatment always begins with eliminating the causes. If the situation is simple, and it is clear what exactly became the “trigger” of the disease, it is necessary to protect the child from repeated exposure to this factor. For example, if hives developed after a wasp sting, you just need to try to ensure that the baby no longer encounters these insects. If your toddler is blistered after prescribing a certain drug, treatment by elimination will also not take much time.
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All over the body
If there are blisters on the child’s body, i.e. throughout the body, that is, there is a very high probability that the cause is one of the infections. Moreover, many of these diseases are contagious, so it is better to call a doctor at home. Possible causes of rashes:
- streptoderma;
- chicken pox;
- follicular tonsillitis;
- erysipelas;
- enterovirus;
- shingles;
- pemphigus;
- herpes types 1 and 2.
In case of infection, in addition to rashes, fever, general weakness and chills are observed. The location of the bubbles may indicate the type of disease. For example, with pemphigus, a rash appears on the abdomen, around the navel and on the thighs. A variation of this disease is Ritter's disease (exfoliating dermatitis). The blisters first appear around the mouth, usually during feeding (if the woman has cracked nipples), and then spread throughout the body. Erysipelas also begins in the area around the navel, after which it quickly spreads to neighboring tissues.
What are the causes of hives in a child?
It is impossible to answer this question in a few words. It can be caused by a huge number of irritants, so the source of the problem must be sought in each specific case. Here are just some of the causes of this disease.
Allergic
A wide range of food products, in particular fish, shellfish, eggs, nuts, tomatoes, strawberries. Various food additives - dyes, preservatives (sulfites, salicylates) and others.
Toxic
Bites from wasps, bees, mosquitoes, fleas, spiders and other insects. Contact with certain plants, in particular nettles. Contact with jellyfish and other marine inhabitants.
Physical
Mechanical influences such as pressure or vibration. Exposure to cold, heat, sunlight. High physical activity, stress.
Pseudo-allergic
Medicines, in particular penicillin drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, aspirin), some antibiotics, insulin, radiocontrast agents and others.
Autoimmune
Autoimmune reaction.
Idiopathic
For no apparent reason.
In addition to the direct causes listed in the table, urticaria in a child may be associated, i.e. be a symptom of another disease. Sometimes it occurs as one of the manifestations of a bacterial, viral or fungal infection, a deficiency of certain enzymes in the baby’s body, or hereditary diseases.
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons. The only good thing is that it occurs very quickly after exposure to the stimulus, so it is often possible to calculate it “hot on its heels.”
On fingers and palms
Blisters on the palms of a child are one of the common manifestations of eczema, which develops against the background of blockage of the sweat glands. This disease is called dyshidrosis. Blisters on the palms of a child also occur with scarlet fever. They usually form after parents have discovered other symptoms, so the rash no longer surprises them.
Also, blisters on a child’s toes occur due to:
- allergies;
- dermatitis;
- insect bite;
- lack of vitamins.
On the feet and heels
Blisters on a child’s foot often occur due to a fungal disease. Heel spots can be a result of wearing uncomfortable shoes. These are common calluses that occur immediately after rubbing the skin. Because of them, the child’s gait is disrupted, since it is painful for him to walk in uncomfortable shoes.
Another reason is again an allergic reaction, especially if there was contact with an allergen at the site of the rash. Another cause of blisters is autoimmune arthritis, which is characterized by joint stiffness and pain.
On the face
Blisters on a child’s face occur for the following reasons:
- herpes. The rash is localized on the lips or around the mouth. In the first 2-3 days it causes itching, after which it opens and becomes covered with crusts;
- viral infections: scarlet fever, influenza, rubella, chicken pox, measles;
- allergic reaction to sunlight. Blisters are localized under the eyes and on the chin.
Almost all infections do not have a rash localized only on the face. Most often, rashes are observed on other parts of the body. Only herpes is characterized by a rash of a certain localization, most often around the mouth.
Why do blisters appear on the back of an adult?
Often small blisters on the back and stomach can arise for the most unexpected reason, in which a person does not see the danger. In most cases, the problem is caused by ordinary household factors. We list the most common causes of the disease.
- Eating problems
Skin diseases are often the result of poor nutrition. If a person abuses sweets, alcohol and regularly includes fatty, fried and other unhealthy foods in his diet, then the body can react with the appearance of acne, pimples and - in severe cases - blisters.
- Hormonal imbalances
With hormonal imbalances, regular acne more often appears on the back, but in some cases blisters and blisters may appear.
- Inappropriate cosmetics
Cosmetics (cream, shower gel) can also cause rashes on the back. During the period of exacerbation and subsequently, for the purpose of prevention, it is better to switch to neutral, hypoallergenic cosmetics.
- Insufficient hygiene
If your back skin is rarely cleansed, the pores become clogged, leading to blemishes, rashes, and sometimes blisters.
- Burn
People often notice that blisters on their back appear from the sun - as a result of a burn after excessive tanning. Also, water blisters on the skin occur after chemical or thermal burns.
- Insect bites
Usually, after an insect bite, there is a slight redness on the skin, but if you have an allergic reaction or scratching, a blister may form in its place.
- Allergic reaction to clothing
Synthetic clothing, as well as chemical dyes used to color items, can cause skin irritation and rashes. Such blisters and bubbles on the back itch and bring discomfort to a person. In such cases, you need to switch to clothes made from natural fabrics and not wear something that caused irritation.
- Syphilis symptom
If pimples in the form of blisters or blisters on the back appear in a bunch for some unknown reason, and then disappear after two months, this may be a symptom of syphilis. To confirm the diagnosis, you need to take a blood test.
- Scabies
With scabies, small blisters appear all over the body and are very itchy.
- Manifestation of prickly heat
Most often, children suffer from prickly heat, but in some cases it also appears in adults. With this disease, small blisters of light pink color appear on the body.
- Shingles
If bubbles filled with liquid are located on the body in the form of a band surrounding the back, legs and arms, then this is a symptom of shingles. At the same time, the rashes hurt and itch. The disease can be treated at home, but you should definitely see a doctor and avoid contact with people who have not had chickenpox.
On the buttocks and scrotum
Blisters on a baby's bottom are a common symptom of skin irritation. In infants it results from:
- allergies to diaper or underwear materials;
- insufficient hygiene of the genital area;
- rubbing the skin with tight underwear;
- prickly heat (sleeping in a hot room, dressing inappropriately for the weather, hot time of year).
Diaper rash sometimes appears even with sufficient care, if the child has increased skin vulnerability or a tendency to allergic conditions. Miliaria is tiny swellings of the upper layer of skin like reddish or bright pink bubbles. They appear in the back, chest, armpits and neck folds.
A fungal infection can also cause a rash on the buttocks. It forms on the scrotum due to genital herpes. Once it enters the body, this virus remains in it forever and when the immune system weakens, it makes itself felt.
In teenagers, a rash on the buttocks can accompany a disease such as psoriasis. In this case, rashes also occur on other parts of the body: elbows, along the hairline on the forehead, on the head, etc.
Practical advice
The main discomfort from rashes is that they itch. But under no circumstances should you scratch them, since microtraumas resulting from the bursting of bubbles can cause a secondary bacterial infection. This will only aggravate the situation and worsen the child’s condition. To prevent the rash from itching, you can give your child an antihistamine.
If there are signs of an infectious disease, you should never self-medicate. If you have fever, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, you should definitely consult a doctor. The younger the child, the more severely he suffers from an infectious disease. In addition, many pathologies can provoke serious complications.
Other useful tips for parents:
- if 10-15 hours have passed since the rash appeared and it has not disappeared, it is necessary to examine the entire body and write down the location of the rash, measure the temperature, and then consult a doctor;
- Before consulting a specialist, it is allowed to treat the rash with an antiseptic drug.
In the first year of life, children often develop various rashes. This is explained by the fact that delicate skin is still only adapting to new conditions. If a rash appears after sleep, if there is no fever in the background, there is no need to worry. If the rash does not cover most of the body, then most likely it is not dangerous. Otherwise, you should seek help from a specialist.
Clinical researches
The conducted clinical study proves the high efficiency, safety and tolerability of products for daily skin care of children with mild and moderate forms of atopic dermatitis and during remission, accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life of patients. As a result of therapy, a decrease in the activity of the inflammatory process, a decrease in dryness, itching and flaking was noted.
The products are recommended by the St. Petersburg branch of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia.
Sources:
- E.N. Saverskaya, Diaper dermatitis: answers to questions from pediatricians and parents in the light of current global trends, Medical Council magazine, 2019
- N.N. Murashkin, A.I. Materikin, R.V. Epishev, E.T. Ambarchyan, Features of the course and prevention of diaper dermatitis in newborns and infants, journal Questions of Modern Pediatrics, 2015
- G.V. Molokova, E.V. Bukina, Diaper dermatitis in children with sensitive skin, Journal of Dermatology and Allergology, 2019
Photos of dermatitis
Photo album on the disease
How to make an appointment with a dermatologist
To make an appointment with a pediatrician or dermatologist, you can call us at the contact number or use the online form where you can select a specialist and an appointment time. We work all days, including weekends and holidays. JSC "Medicine" (clinic of academician Roitberg) is located in the Central Administrative District, near the Mayakovskaya, Tverskaya, Chekhovskaya, Belorusskaya and Novoslobodskaya metro stations. In addition, you can use our service to call a doctor at home. This will be convenient if the child has a serious general condition or you suspect the presence of a contagious disease.
How can you tell if your child has severe urticaria or not?
To assess the signs of the disease, a special method has been developed, which is called the “7-day urticaria activity index”. It is very simple and you can easily master it.
Two signs of hives—blisters and itching—should be assessed for seven days. Give each symptom a daily score from 0 to 3 depending on how severe it is.
The total score for 1 day for both traits will be from 0 to 6. To get the total score for 7 days, add all the daily numbers together. The result will show how severe the child's urticaria is:
The results obtained will allow you to evaluate how effective the treatment is.
Authors: Huggies experts, dermatologist Polina Vasilyeva
