The skin condition we call hives is referred to in medical terms as urticaria. A hive, or wheal, is a symptom of urticaria. However, most people do not develop one hive when they have urticaria, hence the name hives.

A hive, or wheal, is a circular, red, spongy lesion that evolves and changes over minutes to hours. It is usually surrounded by an area of redness called a flare. Hives can vary in size from a few millimeters to giant hives covering a whole extremity.

Pronunciation: hives • (noun)

Also Known As: Urticaria, wheals, whelts, angioedema

Common Misspellings: whelps

Related Resources:

• All About Hives
A great place to start to learn more about hives.
• Cholinergic Hives
This common form of hives occurs after exercise or raising the temperature of the body.
• Dermographism
Dermographism, also called skin writing, is a common form of hives.
• Cold Hives
This is a common form of hives caused by exposure to cold water.
• Pressure Hives
This is a common form of hives caused by pressure against the skin.
• Solar Hives
This is a rare form of hives caused by exposure to certain wavelengths of light.
• Water Hives
This is a rare form of hives caused by exposure of the skin to water.
• Exercise Induced Anaphylaxis
This is a rare form of hives that can cause shock or death after exercising.
• Vibratory Angioedema
This is a rare form of hives caused by applying a vibratory stimulus to the skin.
• Heat Hives
This is a rare form of hives caused by exposure of the skin to a warm stimulus.