First Aid Guides
Hives or Allergic Rashes
First aid for management of hives or allergic rashes
Hives, also known as 'urticaria' or 'nettle rash', is a skin rash that can occur for a range of reasons, including allergies, medicines or infections.
A hive rash looks like red or skin-coloured raised bumps or welts on the skin, which are usually itchy.Learn more about triggers, signs and symptoms of hives.
First Aid for Hives
Hives can look or feel unpleasant but are usually harmless.
- Depending on the trigger, hives usually settle over a few hours.
- When there is no identifiable cause (idiopathic urticaria), hives will usually go away within a few days but may last longer.
- Treatment includes medicines (antihistamines) and avoiding known triggers.
- The triggers may be different for each child, and it is common that a trigger cannot be identified.
Sometimes children have a more serious allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance immediately if your child has symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis and Hives
Anaphylaxis can occur with hives, as hives can be a result of an allergic reaction. Read more about anaphylaxis in the guide below.
Anaphylaxis guide
