You are in Medical Library . I Government Agencies Urticaria Hives, also known as urticaria, are swollen, itchy, red welts on the skin. They often appear in clusters, and may be caused by allergies, reactions to medication, or even stress.
Hives can change shape or vanish and reappear rapidly, in a matter of minutes.
They may last for years, but usually go away in six weeks or less. The materials in this section have been chosen to provide a solid introduction to your health condition. They explain anatomy and physiology, give descriptive overviews of the disease, and include a glossary of the medical terms you will come across in the rest of your report. A short article with a helpful chart for determining if your hives require a visit to your healthcare provider. The materials in this section offer information on nontraditional therapies such as herbs and acupuncture, as well as other treatments that might complement, but do not replace standard medical diagnosis and treatment.