General practice·General practice
Hives welts
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
Hives, also called welts or urticaria, are raised, red or skin-coloured bumps on the skin that are often very itchy. They happen when your body releases a chemical called histamine, which makes small blood vessels leak fluid under the skin.
Key facts
- Hives can appear suddenly and usually go away within a few hours or days.
- Hives are not contagious – you cannot catch them from someone else.
- Most cases of hives are harmless and do not cause lasting harm.
Yes, hives are very common. About 1 in 5 people will have hives at some point in their lives.
Anyone can get hives, but they are more common in children and in people who have allergies, asthma, or eczema.