HivesSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Hives
Hives are raised, usually itchy, red bumps (welts) on the surface of the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. They can also appear without cause.
Urticaria - hives; Wheals
When you have an allergic reaction to a substance, your body releases histamine and other chemicals into the blood. This causes itching, swelling, and other symptoms. Hives are a common reaction. People with other allergies, such as hay fever, often get hives.
Angioedema is swelling of the deeper tissue that sometimes occurs with hives. Like hives, angioedema can occur on any part of the body. When it occurs around the mouth or throat, the symptoms can be severe, including airway blockage.
Many substances can trigger hives, including:
- Animal dander (especially cats)
- Insect bites
- Medicines
- Pollen
- Shellfish, fish, nuts, eggs, milk, and other foods
Hives may also develop as a result of:
- Emotional stress
- Extreme cold or sun exposure
- Excessive perspiration
- Illness, including lupus, other autoimmune diseases, and leukemia
- Infections such as mononucleosis
- Exercise
- Exposure to water
Often, the cause of hives is not known.
Symptoms of hives may include any of the following:
- Itching.
- Swelling of the surface of the skin into red- or skin-colored welts (called wheals) with clearly defined edges.
- Wheals may get bigger, spread, and join together to form larger areas of flat, raised skin.
- Wheals often change shape, disappear, and reappear within minutes or hours. It is unusual for a wheal to last more than 48 hours.
- Dermatographism, or skin writing, is a type of hives. It is caused by pressure on the skin and results in immediate hives in the area that has been pressed on or scratched.
Treatment may not be needed if the hives are mild. They may disappear on their own. To reduce itching and swelling:
- Do not take hot baths or showers.
- Do not wear tight-fitting clothing, which can irritate the area.
- Your provider may suggest that you take an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy). Follow your provider's instructions or the package instructions about how to take the medicine.
- Other oral prescription medicines may be needed, especially if the hives are chronic (long-lasting).
If your reaction is severe, especially if the swelling involves your throat, you may need an emergency shot of epinephrine (adrenaline) or steroids. Hives in the throat can block your airway, making it difficult to breathe.
Clinical Pathology Associates
Paula Busse is an Allergy and Immunologist practicing medicine in New York,, New York. Dr. Busse is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hives. She is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Hereditary Angioedema, Angioedema, Hives, and Asthma.
Office
Thomas Casale is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Dr. Casale is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hives. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Asthma, Hives, Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU), and Allergic Rhinitis.
Endeavor Health Medical Group
Giselle Mosnaim is an Allergy and Immunologist practicing medicine in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Dr. Mosnaim is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hives. She is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU), Hives, Asthma, and Vibratory Urticaria. Dr. Mosnaim is board certified in American Board Of Allergy Immunology. Dr. Mosnaim is currently accepting new patients.
Hives may be uncomfortable, but they are usually harmless and disappear on their own.
When the condition lasts longer than 6 weeks, it is called chronic hives. Usually no cause can be found. Most chronic hives resolve on their own in less than 1 year.
Complications of hives may include:
- Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening, whole-body allergic reaction that causes breathing difficulty)
- Swelling in the throat can lead to life-threatening airway blockage
Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have:
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in your throat
- Tongue or face swelling
- Wheezing
Contact your provider if the hives are severe, uncomfortable, and do not respond to self-care measures.
To help prevent hives, avoid exposure to substances that give you allergic reactions.
Summary: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can substantially impair quality of life in children and adolescents. Pharmacological treatment may not adequately control symptoms in all patients, increasing interest in dietary interventions. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of a Mediterranean diet and a low-histamine diet, in addition to...
Summary: Study ADX-324-302 is an extension study for participants who complete the Phase 3 ADX-324-301 trial. The extension study will provide information about the safety and efficacy of additional dosing of ADX-324 in participants with Type I and Type II hereditary angioedema (HAE). The study will also include pharmacodynamic (PD), pharmacokinetic (PK), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurem...
Published Date: April 01, 2025
Published By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Dinulos JGH. Urticaria, angioedema, and pruritus. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6.
James WD. Erythema and urticaria. In: James WD, ed. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 7.
Saini SS. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 232.