When your child develops a sudden onset of hive, this is termed as acute urticaria. There are many possible triggers of hives, including viral infection, foods, medications etc. With the history of preceding cough and cold, a viral trigger is possibility.
Anti-histamine like cetirizine are the mainstay of treatment for urticaria. The hives do respond well to anti-histamines in general. Sometimes, the urticaria can be more severe with sub-optimal response to anti-histamine.
A short course of oral steroids can be considered in such situations for control of the urticaria.
