One out of 5 people will have hives at some time in their lives.
Acute hives can happen at any age.
Chronic hives is more common in women between 40-60 years. The most common type of hives is a reaction of the skin to the release of histamine or other chemicals from special cells in the body. There are many causes of hives. In over half of them, neither you or your doctor will be able to determine the specific cause. The rash of hives comes on suddenly.