Skin Problem – What is Hives?
Hives (urticaria) is a common skin rash characterised by one or many weals of reddened, raised and itching skin. The weals can vary in size, from relatively small to as large as a dinner plate. The weals may be circular, oval shaped or annular (ring-shaped). The condition can affect any part of the body, but is common on the torso, throat, arms and legs. The weals generally appear in clusters, with one cluster getting worse as another gets better.
Most weals disappear without a trace within a few hours, only to be replaced by a new one elsewhere on the skin. Weals that persist in exactly the same spot for more than 24 hours may indicate a different disorder known as urticarial vasculitis.
In acute hives, the weals may come and go for a few days or weeks. Rarely, they persist for more than six weeks. Chronic hives is much less common. The weals come and go for months or even years.
It is thought that around one in every six people will experience at least one attack of acute hives at some point in their lives.
Acute hives can be triggered by a number of different factors. Common causes include respiratory infections (particularly in young children), contact with animals or plants, allergic reactions to foods or medication (particularly pain relievers and antibiotics), and sometimes, insect stings, heat or cold, stress, food additives or preservatives.
Symptoms of hives
Symptoms of hives include:
- Raised circular weals appear that look like mosquito bites.
- The weals are red on the outer rim and white in the centre.
- Localised itching is usually present.
- An individual weal has a lifespan of around two to four hours, rarely lasting 24 hours.
- The weals appear in batches or clusters.
- One batch fades away as a new batch appears.
- In acute urticarial, the rash may last for days or weeks.
- In chronic hives, the rash may persist for months to years, occasionally decades.
Causes of hives
In over two third of cases, the cause of hives is unknown. Some factors known to cause hives include:
- medication – such as antibiotics, aspirin and codeine
- some food additives
- infections – including bacterial, viral or parasitic
- certain underlying conditions – such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rubella and hepatitis
- emotional stress
- contact with plants or animals
- sunshine and heat
- cold temperatures
- exercise and sweating
- bee and wasp stings
Hives treatment
If a trigger is identified and it is possible to avoid that trigger, then the hives will resolve. Where no trigger is found, or the trigger cannot be avoided, the hives treatment may include:
- avoidance of factors that make the condition worse – such as aspirin, codeine, sunshine, heat and hot showers
- antihistamines – some people require two, three or even four tablets a day to control hives. These are available from pharmacies without prescription. Some antihistamines cause drowsiness.
For chronic hives, there are a number of other medications that can be prescribed.
Things to remember
- Hives is a skin rash characterised by reddened and raised circular weals.
- This type of skin rash is an allergic reaction, which means the immune system responds to a substance.
- Treatment options include avoidance of known triggers, and medications such as antihistamines.
It’s best to consult the best dermatologist in Singapore or skin specialist in Singapore for treatment of your hives.

Author: Zoe Gan
This author has published 1274 articles so far. More info about the author is coming soon.