Health Topics
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Summary
Hives are red and sometimes itchy bumps on your skin. An allergic reaction to a drug or food usually causes them. Allergic reactions cause your body to release chemicals that can make your skin swell up in hives. People who have other allergies are more likely to get hives than other people. Other causes include infections and stress.
Hives are very common. They usually go away on their own, but if you have a serious case, you might need medicine or a shot. In rare cases, hives can cause a dangerous swelling in your airways, making it hard to breathe - which is a medical emergency.
Related Issues
- Allergic Skin Conditions (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Medications and Drug Allergic Reactions (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) Also in Spanish
- Sun Allergy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Cold Urticaria (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Exercise-Induced Urticaria (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Genetics
-
PLCG2-associated antibody deficiency and immune dysregulation: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
-
Vibratory urticaria: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
Images
- Urticaria (Hives) and Angioedema (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Test Your Knowledge
- Skin Allergy Quiz (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Clinical Trials
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Urticaria
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
- Find a Dermatologist (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Find an Allergist/Immunologist (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
-
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Children
- Hives (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
- Hives (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Hives (Urticaria) (VisualDX)
- Hives (Urticaria) (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- Hives (Urticaria) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Angioedema (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Hives (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.