What is the medical term for hives?

What is the medical term for hives?

“Urticaria” is the medical term for hives. Hives are raised areas of the skin that itch intensely and are red with a pale center (picture 1). Hives are a very common condition. About 20 percent of people have hives at some time during their lives.

What does it mean when you have hives on your skin?

Urticaria (hives) is marked by sudden instances of swelling of the skin that usually itch, burn, or sting.

What are the different types of hives and swelling?

There are different types of hives (urticaria) and angioedema, including: Acute: Hives or swelling that last for less than six weeks are considered acute, meaning they come on suddenly. Allergic reactions to certain foods or medications often cause acute hives and swelling.

What does it mean when your skin itches all the time?

They are intensely itchy at their onset. Medically this condition is known as Urticaria, which is a transient swelling of the skin with loss of fluid from surrounding tissues. The skin lesions appear suddenly and go away as fast as they appeared; the skin appears completely normal afterwards.

What causes hives in people with chronic urticaria?

Food additives and salicylic acid (contained in aspirin) have been shown to bring on hives in some people. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories have been reported to worsen outbreaks of hives in 20 to 30 percent of people with chronic urticaria.

What kind of hives are red and Itchy?

Hives (urticaria) are red, itchy welts that result from a skin reaction. The welts vary in size and appear and fade repeatedly as the reaction runs its course.

What are the symptoms of chronic hives on dark skin?

Chronic hives. Overview. Hives on light skin Hives, also known as urticaria, are reddened, itchy welts that may be triggered by substances or situations, such as heat, exercise and stress. Hives on dark skin Chronic hives appear daily or almost daily for six weeks or more. Hives (urticaria) are red, itchy welts that result from a skin reaction.

What does it mean when you have hives on your face?

Hives (Urticaria) Hives, also known as urticaria, affects about 20 percent of people at some time during their lives. It can be triggered by many substances or situations and usually starts as an itchy patch of skin that turns into swollen red welts.

What does it mean to have chronic hives?

And hives that last more than six weeks are considered chronic (persistent or recurring). For some people, these hives are a result of allergies, but for others there’s no discernible cause. Chronic hives with no known cause are called chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives).