Urticaria, also known as hives, is a condition in which your skin is inflamed and has itchy white or red welts. Exercise, cold, heat, pressure and allergies can all cause hives. Unless your child has chronic hives, hives generally do not need any special treatment because they go away within hours or days. Certain vitamins may help hives heal more quickly, but you should check with your child's doctor before giving her vitamin supplements in excess of the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C may be helpful in treating hives for two reasons. First, it helps to heal the skin. Second, it may help to lower your child's histamine levels. Hives caused by allergies occur due to higher than normal histamine levels, so lowering these levels will help to get rid of your child's hives. High doses of vitamin C, however, may cause diarrhea. Lower the dose if this occurs.
B Vitamins
If your child suffers from chronic hives, taking a B-complex vitamin may help limit the number of attacks, especially if it contains extra vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 shots improve hives symptoms, but oral vitamin B-12 hasn't been sufficiently tested to verify it has the same effect, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Other Supplements
Topical applications of zinc and vitamin E may help your child's skin heal more quickly. Supplemental bromelain, rutin and omega-3 fatty acids may also be helpful in healing the skin and limiting inflammation, and quercetin may help limit allergic reactions, which are one of the main causes of hives, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Considerations
Using antihistamines and avoiding things that trigger hives is more common than using vitamins to help hives. Do not use vitamins in place of the treatment for hives your child's doctor prescribes, and do not give your child supplements without first speaking with his doctor to get the appropriate dosages and make sure it would be safe for him. Some vitamins do not come in forms that are easy for a child to take.
