ICD-10: L50Skin & Subcutaneous DiseasesGeneral Severity
Urticaria
Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a skin reaction that causes itchy, raised, red welts to appear on your body.
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Find DermatologistsClinical Overview
Urticaria affects the upper layer of your skin. It happens when your body releases a chemical called histamine into your bloodstream, which causes small blood vessels to leak fluid into the skin, creating raised bumps or 'wheals'.
While it can look scary, it is usually harmless. It often appears as individual bumps or large patches that can change shape, move around, or disappear and reappear over hours or days.
Common Symptoms
- Raised, red, or skin-colored bumps called wheals.
- Intense itching.
- Swelling of the skin, especially around the eyes, lips, or hands, which is called angioedema.
- A stinging or burning sensation on the skin.
- Skin patches that blanch, meaning they turn white when you press on the center.