Hives, or uriticaria, are a type of skin rash that are often, but not always, the result of an allergic reaction. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have uriticaria:
Types of Hives
Ordinary hives tend to last for periods of six weeks or fewer and may be an allergic reaction to a specific trigger. Chronic hives are similar to the ordinary uriticaria but last for six weeks or more. These uriticaria may not be caused by a specific allergic trigger.
Physical uriticaria can occur after the skin has been repeatedly rubbed by an item of clothing or some accessory or may appear after exercising or bathing. Physical hives tend to disappear within a a few hours or days at most.
Appearance and Symptoms of Hives
Hives are often pale red in appearance. They're itchy, swollen and inflamed. They can vary in size and location and can even appear and grow in one area, dissipate over time and reappear in another location.
If you suspect hives but you don't have any other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, you should make an appointment with a physician or dermatologist as soon as possible. If the uriticaria are one reaction to what you think may be a severe allergic episode, you should head to the emergency room immediately.
