Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsPotential ComplicationsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to Seek Medical CarePreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Potential Complications
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to Seek Medical Care
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Urticariais the medical term for the skin condition commonly known as hives: red, itchy bumps orwelts on the skin.Acute (short-term) urticaria is diagnosed when the hives are present for less than six weeks.
Learn about acute urticaria, its symptoms, causes, treatment options, and more.
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Thesymptoms of acute urticaria, or short-term hives, can range from mild to severe. The most noticeable symptom is the presence of itchybumpsor welts on the skin.Other symptoms may develop with hives, such as swelling and difficulty breathing, and may signify a more serious health concern, such as anallergic reaction.
Acute urticaria symptoms include:
Acute urticaria is usually a condition without severe complications.However, it can be a sign of something more serious. For example, hives may appear with a severeallergicreaction calledanaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that affects multiple body systems and involves difficulty breathing and closing airways.
Additionally, acute urticaria may turn into chronic urticaria if it lasts six weeks or longer.
Signs of Serious ComplicationsSwellingDifficulty breathingTingling or numbnessFeeling dizzy
Signs of Serious Complications
SwellingDifficulty breathingTingling or numbnessFeeling dizzy
Call911or seek medical care immediately if you or someone you know experiences signs of severe complications linked to hives, including trouble breathing, dizziness, swelling, or tingling.
Causes of Acute UrticariaAnimals(dander or saliva)Blood transfusionsEnvironmentalreactions (plants or pollutants)Foodallergies (e.g., peanuts, eggs, shellfish)Infection (bacterial, viral)Materials (latex, soap)Medications(antibiotics)Temperature (extreme heat or change in temperature)
Causes of Acute Urticaria
Animals(dander or saliva)Blood transfusionsEnvironmentalreactions (plants or pollutants)Foodallergies (e.g., peanuts, eggs, shellfish)Infection (bacterial, viral)Materials (latex, soap)Medications(antibiotics)Temperature (extreme heat or change in temperature)
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Hives often go away on their own without any medical treatment.However, they can co-occur with anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening.For this reason, it is important to seek treatment from a healthcare provider if hives appear with swelling or difficulty breathing or if an allergic reaction is suspected.
Signs of Severe Allergic ReactionBeing exposed to a known allergenSwellingDifficulty breathingNumbness or tinglingWheezing
Signs of Severe Allergic Reaction
Being exposed to a known allergenSwellingDifficulty breathingNumbness or tinglingWheezing
Identifying and avoiding whatever causes the hives can help prevent them.You can also get allergy testing done to identify allergens and triggers most likely to affect you and cause hives.
Some triggers of hives may be more difficult to avoid, such as air pollutants or pollen exposure in the spring when plants bloom.
Summary
Acute urticaria is the term for hives, a skin condition involving red, itchy bumps or welts lasting less than six weeks. Symptoms may also include swelling or pain and may appear if you have a severe allergic reaction, or anaphylaxis.
A Word From Verywell
Acute urticaria can be uncomfortable and frightening if hives appear alongside a severe allergic reaction. If you or someone you know experiences hives, difficulty breathing, swelling, numbness or tingling, wheezing, or exposure to a known allergen, it is essential to seek medical care immediately. Hives and allergic reactions associated with hives can be treated, and symptoms are often temporary.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAcute urticaria can be treated at home or with medications to manage the symptoms and help with relief. The best treatment options depend on the person and the severity of the hives. Options include ice packs or cool washcloths on the skin, over-the-counter (OTC) anti-itch cream, and prescription antihistamine medications.A healthcare professional such as a primary care practitioner or dermatologist can diagnose acute hives. Signs of hives are red, itchy bumps on the skin that go away within six weeks.Acute urticaria is generally not severe, but it can be very uncomfortable. It can also signify a severe or even life-threatening allergic reaction. If an allergic reaction is suspected, or if there is difficulty breathing, it is essential to seek medical care immediately.No. Acute urticaria is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another.The amount of time that hives last depends on the person and the cause of the hives. Acute hives go away within six weeks, while hives lasting six weeks or longer are diagnosed as chronic hives.
Acute urticaria can be treated at home or with medications to manage the symptoms and help with relief. The best treatment options depend on the person and the severity of the hives. Options include ice packs or cool washcloths on the skin, over-the-counter (OTC) anti-itch cream, and prescription antihistamine medications.
A healthcare professional such as a primary care practitioner or dermatologist can diagnose acute hives. Signs of hives are red, itchy bumps on the skin that go away within six weeks.
Acute urticaria is generally not severe, but it can be very uncomfortable. It can also signify a severe or even life-threatening allergic reaction. If an allergic reaction is suspected, or if there is difficulty breathing, it is essential to seek medical care immediately.
No. Acute urticaria is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another.
The amount of time that hives last depends on the person and the cause of the hives. Acute hives go away within six weeks, while hives lasting six weeks or longer are diagnosed as chronic hives.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Health Services.Urticaria (hives).American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: signs and symptoms.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N.Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care.North Clin Istanb. 2019;6(1):93-99. doi:10.14744/nci.2018.75010National Health Services.Hives.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Health Services.Urticaria (hives).American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: signs and symptoms.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N.Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care.North Clin Istanb. 2019;6(1):93-99. doi:10.14744/nci.2018.75010National Health Services.Hives.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Health Services.Urticaria (hives).American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Hives.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: signs and symptoms.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N.Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care.North Clin Istanb. 2019;6(1):93-99. doi:10.14744/nci.2018.75010National Health Services.Hives.
National Health Services.Urticaria (hives).
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Hives.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: signs and symptoms.
Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: diagnosis and treatment.
Kayiran MA, Akdeniz N.Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria in primary care.North Clin Istanb. 2019;6(1):93-99. doi:10.14744/nci.2018.75010
National Health Services.Hives.
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