Print Overview Hives Enlarge image Close Hives Hives Illustration of hives on different skin colors. Hives can cause swollen, itchy welts. Hives is also called urticaria. Hives — also called urticaria (ur-tih-KAR-e-uh) — is a skin reaction that causes itchy welts. Chronic hives are welts that last for more than six weeks and return often over months or years. Often, the cause of chronic hives isn't clear. The welts often start as itchy patches that turn into swollen welts that vary in size. These welts appear and fade at random as the reaction runs its course. Chronic hives can be very uncomfortable and interfere with sleep and daily activities. For many people, anti-itch medications (antihistamines) provide relief.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic SymptomsSymptoms of chronic hives include: Batches of welts (wheals) that can arise anywhere on the body Welts that might be red, purple or skin-colored, depending on your skin color Welts that vary in size, change shape, and appear and fade repeatedly Itchiness (pruritus), which can be intense Painful swelling (angioedema) around the eyes, cheeks or lips Flares triggered by heat, exercise or stress Symptoms that persist for more than six weeks and recur often and anytime, sometimes for months or years When to see a doctorSee your health care provider if you have severe hives or hives that last for more than a few days. Seek emergency medical careChronic hives do not put you at sudden risk of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If you get hives as part of a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency care. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness, trouble breathing, and swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth or throat. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry CausesThe welts that come with hives are caused by the release of immune system chemicals, such as histamine, into your bloodstream. It's often not known why chronic hives happen or why short-term hives sometimes turn into a long-term problem. The skin reaction may be triggered by: Heat or cold Sunlight Vibration, such as caused by jogging or using lawnmowers Pressure on the skin, as from a tight waistband Medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, infection, allergy and cancer ComplicationsChronic hives don't put you at sudden risk of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). If you do get hives as part of a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency care. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness, trouble breathing, and swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth or throat. PreventionTo lower your likelihood of experiencing hives or angioedema, take the following precautions: Avoid known triggers. If you know what has triggered your hives, try to avoid that substance. Bathe and change your clothes. If pollen or animal contact has triggered your hives in the past, take a bath or shower and change your clothes if you're exposed to pollen or animals. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment April 25, 2023 Print Show references AskMayoExpert. Urticaria Mayo Clinic; 2021. Bernstein JA, et al., eds. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticarial: 2014 update. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2014; doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.02.036. Kang S, et al., eds. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology. 9th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2019. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Aug. 29, 2019. Hives (urticaria). American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. http://acaai.org/allergies/types/skin-allergies/hives-urticaria. Accessed March 28, 2022. Thompson DA. Hives. In: Adult Telephone Protocols: Office Version. 5th ed. American Academy of Pediatrics; 2022. Briggs JK. Hives. In: Triage Protocols for Aging Adults. Wolters Kluwer; 2019. Ferri FF. Urticaria. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 4, 2021. Hives. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hives-treatment. Accessed March 28, 2022. Kelly AP, et al., eds. Drug eruptions. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Aug. 4, 2021. Related Associated Procedures Allergy skin tests Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Chronic hivesSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departments Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry