Hives (urticaria) is a skin problem that 1 in 5 people experience at some point in their life. It causes very itchy, raised bumps on the skin called weals or hives. These can be round or ring-shaped and sometimes join together.
They often show up after scratching and can appear anywhere on the body.
Hives happen when certain cells in the body, called mast cells, release histamine and other chemicals into the blood. This makes fluid leak from tiny blood vessels in the skin, causing the itchy bumps.
Hives usually fade within 24 hours, but the condition itself can last longer.
Sometimes, hives come with deeper swelling under the skin called angioedema. This often affects soft areas like the lips, eyelids, or inside the mouth.
Unlike hives, this swelling lasts longer and is more painful than itchy.
If angioedema shows up without hives, it might be a rare inherited condition called hereditary angioedema. In that case, it isn’t related to hives and needs special tests and a different treatment.
Urticaria (hives) can be grouped based on how long it lasts:
Acute Urticaria – the most common type, usually with a known cause. It lasts up to about six weeks.
Chronic Urticaria – breakouts that last longer than six weeks, often with no clear cause.
Physical Urticaria – triggered by things like scratching, cold, pressure on the skin, sunlight, or a rise in body temperature.
Common triggers include allergic reactions, bacterial or viral infections, and even emotional stress.
Most hives go away within 24 hours without treatment. But if they continue, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines, steroid tablets, or menthol cream to ease the itching.
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