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In most cases, hives are caused by an allergic reaction to an allergen. When your body comes into contact with an allergen, your immune system releases histamines—chemical signals made by specialized immune cells in your body produced to get rid of an allergen.

During allergic reactions, the body may respond to the histamines with hives and swelling. Most hives clear up within 24 hours, but acute hives can sometimes turn into a chronic issue (chronic urticaria).

Common allergens include antibiotics and other medications, poison ivy and poison oak plants, bug bites, certain foods, environmental pollens, dust, mold and pet dander.

The skin reaction can also be triggered by:

• Heat or cold

• Sunlight

• Pressure on the skin from tight clothing, belts, or sock bands

• Stress

• Medical conditions, such as infections, autoimmune conditions, or systemic diseases

The symptoms of hives may vary from person to person depending on the severity of an allergic reaction. The most noticeable symptom of hives is raised welts that appear on the skin. Welts can be red, or they may appear the same color as your skin.

Hives can be small and round, ring-shaped, or large and randomly shaped. They're often itchy, and they tend to appear in patches over the affected area. You might also notice your hives growing larger, changing shape, or spreading to different areas. Some people notice a phenomenon called “dermatographism“ which means if they draw lines or write on their skin with a fingertip or pencil, within a few minutes hives will appear where the writing was done.

Hives may disappear or reappear over the course of an allergic reaction. Most hives clear up within 24 hours. Hives often briefly turn white when pressed, and they may form together to create a larger skin rash.

Hives can occur anywhere on the body. Seek emergency care or call 911 if hives occur around your throat or tongue, or if you have difficulty breathing along with severe hives.

Anaphylaxis

Angioedema

Thyroid disease

The hallmark symptom of hives is welts that appear on the skin. While hives often resemble insect bites, they're different in a few ways:

• Hives can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, arms, chest, legs, and neck. Over the course of your skin reaction, you might notice your hives change shape, join together, or disappear. Sometimes, hives can spread to different parts of the body.

• Hive bumps, which are red- or skin-colored welts with clear edges, tend to appear suddenly and disappear relatively quickly. In most cases, hives disappear completely in 24 hours without treatment.

• When you press the center of a red welt, it may turn white for a few seconds—a process called "blanching."

Hives can be small and round, ring-shaped, or large and randomly shaped. Hives are itchy and may feel painful to the touch.

Hives can happen in isolation, or they can be related to significant health problems.

Although most cases of hives are mild, hives can be an early symptom of a severe (and potentially life-threatening) allergic reaction or less often a sign of another medical condition.

If you think your hives or angioedema (swelling) were caused by a known allergy to food, medication, or another allergen, it's important to monitor your symptoms closely. Seek in-person emergency care or call 911 if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Nausea or abdominal pain

• Swelling around your tongue, lips, mouth, nose, or throat