The Potential for Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections to Cause Chronic Hives in Children may Increase in the United States

Chronic hives in children are not infrequently seen in Allergy-Immunology clinics. Hives persisting for greater than 6 weeks often do not have a readily identified reason. In developed countries, the development of hives from chronic parasitic infestation is uncommon, with reviews suggesting a low incidence of parasitic involvement as a cause for chronic pediatric hives.

Increased immigration into the United States from international countries has the potential to add unusual infections from developing countries into the mainstream of American medical practices.

Keywords: hives, parasites, chronic spontaneous hives, idiopathic urticaria, urticaria.