Hives

Also called: Urticaria
Hives are red and sometimes itchy bumps on your skin. An allergic reaction to a drug or food usually causes them. Allergic reactions cause your body to release chemicals that can make your skin swell up in hives. People who have other allergies are more likely to get hives than other people. Other causes include infections and stress.
Hives are very common. They usually go away on their own, but if you have a serious case, you might need medicine or a shot. In rare cases, allergic reactions can cause a dangerous swelling in your airways, making it hard to breathe - which is a medical emergency.
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Hives (Urticaria)(Logical Images)
Urticaria - Hives(American Academy of Dermatology)
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Allergic Skin Conditions(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
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Hives and Angioedema(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Specific Conditions
Allergy to Cold Weather: Is This Possible?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Chronic Urticaria (Hives)(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America)
Exercise-Induced Urticaria (Hives)(American Academy of Family Physicians)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Urticaria(National Institutes of Health)
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Article: Recurrent urticarial vasculitis related to nonanimal hyaluronic acid skin filler...
Article: Levocetirizine for chronic idiopathic urticaria: a review.
Article: Role of Helicobacter pylori Infection in the treatment and outcome...
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Medical Encyclopedia
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Find a Dermatologist(American Academy of Dermatology)
Find an Allergist: Search(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
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American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Return to top
Children
Help with Hives(Nemours Foundation)
Hives (Urticaria)(Logical Images) Return to top
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Date last updated: 18 March 2009 Topic last reviewed: 07 February 2009