Hives / Urticaria

Overview

Hives, also known as urticaria, affects about 20 percent of people at some time during their lives. It can be triggered by many substances or situations and usually starts as an itchy patch of skin that turns into swollen red welts. The itching may be mild to severe. Scratching, alcoholic beverages, exercise and emotional stress may worsen the itching.

Hives Triggers

• Some food (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish)
• Medications, such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulfa), aspirin and ibuprofen
• Insect stings or bites
• Physical stimuli, such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure
• Latex
• Blood transfusions
• Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat
• Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis
• Pet dander