Hives, known medically as urticaria, will affect anything up to 20% of the population at some point in their lives. Hives causes the formation of welts, or red bumps, virtually anywhere on the body, including arms, trunk, legs, face and ears. It is difficult to pinpoint the underlying cause of a hives outbreak, but often it occurs as a result of some form of allergic reaction.
Hives will result in itching, which can promote stinging and a burning sensation. The bumps can differ in size from around a centimetre in diameter to larger blotches on the skin, sometimes merging to form plaques. Red or pale in colour, the bumps can easily be mistaken for mosquito bites, but unlike mosquito bites, the size of the welts varies and the location may also change.
Hives can be classed as either acute or chronic.
Acute hives is short lived, lasting from a few hours up to six weeks. It may also occur in conjunction with angioedema as a result of an allergic reaction. Angioedema symptoms include outbreaks underneath the skin of the cheeks, lips or eyes.
Chronic hives occurs repeatedly and lasts for more than six weeks, and in some cases for years.
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