Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
This article covers the types of hives, their symptoms, how to treat hives, and how to prevent them from reappearing.
Types of Urticaria
Knowing the different types of hives is helpful for treatment. The type you have can indicate how long they will last and how they are treated.
Acute
“Acute urticaria” is the term for hives that appear suddenly and last no longer than six weeks.
Chronic
2:24Click Play to Learn About the Symptoms of Urticaria or Hives
2:24
Click Play to Learn About the Symptoms of Urticaria or Hives
Urticaria Symptoms
Urticaria can develop anywhere on the body. They can be 1 centimeter small or spread over large areas. Symptoms of hives include:
Urticaria Causes
Urticaria can appear without reason, but there are many known causes for them, including:
Diagnosing urticaria can be as simple as looking at the hives. However, there are some ways to diagnose why they may have occurred, including:
Hives can go away on their own. However, there are some ways to treat them, including:
One way to prevent hives from reappearing is to monitor flare-ups and note triggers to avoid in the future. This includes certain foods, plants, and chemicals (like additives in foods). Cold or hot temperatures should also be avoided.
Other tips for urticaria prevention are:
Summary
“Urticaria” is the medical term for hives. Acute hives last for up to six weeks, while chronic hives last longer. Symptoms of hives include redness, swelling, itching, and spreading across the skin. Hives can develop without reason, but they also can be due to allergies, an autoimmune disorder, emotional stress, extreme heat or cold, or reactions to medication.
A Word From Verywell
Hives can happen to anyone. They are likely to disappear within a day, but if your hives last a long time or feel very uncomfortable, see a healthcare provider. A provider can evaluate the cause of your hives and prescribe medication if nonprescription remedies aren’t helping. Hives are manageable, and, with treatment and understanding your triggers, they can be avoided.
6 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.MedlinePlus.Hives.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hives (Urticaria) and angioedema overview.MedlinePlus.Skin lesion biopsy.MedlinePlus.Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.Godse K, Bagadia A, Patil S, Nadkarni N, Gautam M.“Busting” urticaria with a “burst” of steroids.Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2014;59(6):618. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.143546American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
6 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.MedlinePlus.Hives.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hives (Urticaria) and angioedema overview.MedlinePlus.Skin lesion biopsy.MedlinePlus.Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.Godse K, Bagadia A, Patil S, Nadkarni N, Gautam M.“Busting” urticaria with a “burst” of steroids.Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2014;59(6):618. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.143546American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic 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.
MedlinePlus.Hives.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hives (Urticaria) and angioedema overview.MedlinePlus.Skin lesion biopsy.MedlinePlus.Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.Godse K, Bagadia A, Patil S, Nadkarni N, Gautam M.“Busting” urticaria with a “burst” of steroids.Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2014;59(6):618. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.143546American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
MedlinePlus.Hives.
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hives (Urticaria) and angioedema overview.
MedlinePlus.Skin lesion biopsy.
MedlinePlus.Histamine: The stuff allergies are made of.
Godse K, Bagadia A, Patil S, Nadkarni N, Gautam M.“Busting” urticaria with a “burst” of steroids.Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2014;59(6):618. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.143546
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
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