Health topic · Dermatology

Hives

MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine · Retrieved 2026-10-13

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,…

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Reference details

MedlinePlus topic groups
Skin, Hair and Nails; Immune System; Symptoms
Also called
Urticaria
MeSH terms
Urticaria
XML release date
10/13/2026 02:30:36

Overview

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, hives can cause a dangerous swelling in your airways, making it hard to breathe - which is a medical emergency.

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Retrieved: 2026-10-13. Text has been organized for reading; this import has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. It is not individualized medical advice.
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