Baby hives: causes, what helps and when to worry | Parenting Hub
Itchy raised welts in babies — common causes, home care and the red flags that need urgent assessment. Aligned with RCH and ASCIA guidance.
Hives are raised, itchy welts that come and go. Most settle in a day or two — but with any breathing or face-swelling signs, call 000.
What is it?
Hives (urticaria) are raised, itchy welts that appear suddenly and move around the body, with each spot usually fading within a few hours. They can be triggered by a virus, food, medicine, insect bite, heat or pressure.
Symptoms
- Raised pink or pale welts with red edges
- Welts that change shape and move around within hours
- Itch
- Sometimes mild swelling of lips or eyelids
Causes
- Viral infections (the most common cause in babies)
- Foods (milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, sesame)
- Antibiotics or other medicines
- Insect bites or stings
- Heat, cold or pressure on the skin
What helps
- Remove the trigger if you know it
- Dress baby in cool, loose cotton clothing
- A cool (not cold) compress can ease itch
- Ask your pharmacist about a child-safe non-sedating antihistamine if hives are widespread and itchy — only for babies over 1 unless your GP advises otherwise
- Most hives settle within 24–48 hours
When to see a doctor
Same-day GP review if hives last more than 48 hours, keep coming back, started after a new medicine, or your baby is unsettled.
When to seek urgent care — call 000
Any swelling of the tongue, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, persistent coughing, hoarse cry, pale and floppy, or vomiting after a likely food trigger is anaphylaxis. Call 000 immediately.
When to seek help
- Swelling of tongue, lips, face or throat
- Difficulty or noisy breathing, wheeze
- Persistent cough, hoarse cry or change of voice
- Pale, floppy or drowsy
- Vomiting after a likely food trigger
Common questions
Is it always an allergy?
No — most baby hives are triggered by a virus, not food. Allergic hives usually start within minutes to 2 hours of the trigger.
Can I give antihistamines?
Speak to your pharmacist or GP. Non-sedating antihistamines are generally only used in babies over 1. Never use sedating antihistamines (like promethazine) in babies under 2.