---
title: "Hives (urticaria): Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers"
description: "A plain-English guide to hives — what causes them, how to ease them, and when to seek urgent help."
url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/hives/
robots: noindex
---

# Hives (urticaria): Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers

Health A–Z

A plain-English guide to hives — what causes them, how to ease them, and when to seek urgent help.

Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026

## Quick answer

What are hives? Hives, also called urticaria, are a raised, itchy rash that can appear anywhere on the body. They are often caused by an allergic reaction or triggered by heat, stress or infection. Most cases settle within a day or two, and antihistamines from a pharmacy usually ease the itching.

General UK health information, not a diagnosis. In an emergency call 999 ; for urgent advice use [NHS 111](https://111.nhs.uk/) (GP out-of-hours in Northern Ireland).

On this page 5 sections

## Key facts about hives

- Hives are a raised, itchy rash that can appear suddenly anywhere on the body.
- They are often caused by an allergic reaction or other triggers.
- Most short-lived cases settle within a day or two.
- Antihistamines usually ease the itching.

## What are hives?

Hives, known medically as urticaria, are a raised, itchy rash. The raised areas (weals) can be small spots or large blotches, are often pink or red on lighter skin, and may join together. Hives can appear suddenly anywhere on the body and often move around, fading in one place and appearing in another.

## Symptoms

The main features are:

- raised bumps or patches that are very itchy

- areas that may look pink or red, or skin-coloured on darker skin

- a rash that can change shape and location over hours

- sometimes mild swelling under the skin

## What causes them

Hives occur when the body releases a chemical called histamine, which makes small blood vessels leak fluid into the skin. This can be triggered by allergic reactions — to foods, medicines or insect stings — or by things like infections, heat, cold, stress and exercise. In many cases no clear cause is found.

## Treatment

Most short-lived hives do not need specific treatment and settle by themselves. [Antihistamines](https://healthanswers.co.uk/treatments/antihistamines/) from a pharmacy usually ease the itching and help the rash clear. Keeping cool, wearing loose clothing and avoiding any known trigger can also help.

## When to seek help

See a GP if hives keep returning or last more than six weeks, as long-lasting (chronic) hives may need further treatment. Most importantly, treat hives with swelling of the face or throat, breathing difficulty or faintness as a medical emergency.

## ! When to see a GP about hives

See a GP if hives keep coming back or last more than about 6 weeks, or if antihistamines are not controlling them. Call **999** immediately if hives come with swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, wheezing, or feeling faint — these can be signs of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

## Common questions about hives

What causes hives? Hives happen when the body releases histamine, causing fluid to leak from small blood vessels under the skin. Triggers include allergic reactions to foods, medicines or insect bites, as well as infections, heat, cold, stress and exercise. Often no specific cause is found. How long do hives last? Most cases (acute urticaria) clear up within a few hours to a couple of days. If hives keep appearing for more than 6 weeks, it is called chronic urticaria and should be assessed by a GP. How do I get rid of hives? Antihistamines from a pharmacy usually relieve the itching and help the rash settle. Avoiding any known trigger, keeping cool and avoiding tight clothing can also help. When are hives an emergency? Hives themselves are usually not dangerous, but if they come with swelling of the face, mouth or throat, breathing difficulty or feeling faint, this may be a severe allergic reaction and needs an emergency 999 call.

## Sources

- [NHS — Hives](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hives/)

## How we reviewed this page

Medically reviewed by the [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/)

First published 23 February 2026 Medically reviewed 3 July 2026 Next review due 3 July 2029 or sooner if NHS or NICE guidance changes

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