If you mention the word hives, most people have an idea of what you are talking about, even though many people have never seen this problem. However, one might have a single welt. Many itchy welts add up to the condition called hives.
Welts can be small, less than a quarter inch across, or rather large, up to a few inches across.
They have a well-defined border, and may be round, or irregular in shape. Hives is a common condition, affecting 15 to 20 per cent of the population. It was known and described by physicians more than 2000 years ago. Women seem to be slightly more prone to getting hives, and younger people under the age of 40 are more likely to suffer with this problem than older people. Fortunately, most people who break out with hives have the itchy welts for only a few hours or few days.