Hives and Angioedema

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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Hives and Angioedema Overview
• Hives and Angioedema Causes
• Hives and Angioedema Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Hives and Angioedema Diagnosis
• Hives and Angioedema Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Follow-up
• Hives and Angioedema Prevention
• Hives and Angioedema Prognosis
• Support Groups and Counseling
• For More Information
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Viewer Comments: Hives - Causes
• Viewer Comments: Hives - Describe Your Experience

Hives is an allergic skin reaction that comes on suddenly. The hives themselves are slightly raised, smooth, flat-topped bumps called wheals and welts that are usually slightly more reddish in color than the surrounding skin and cause severe itching. Hives look somewhat like mosquito bites.

Angioedema is like hives, only the welts are larger and form at a deeper layer in the skin. Angioedema causes severe swelling, usually in the face, near the eyes and mouth. The swelling can also occur in the inside of the throat, which is a dangerous situation because it can close off the passage of air into the lungs.

Hives and angioedema can occur together, but they usually do not. Hives is the most common rash for which people seek emergency medical care. One of every five people will have hives at some time in their lives. Angioedema is less common. Hives and angioedema can happen at any age.

The medical term for hives is urticaria.

This article does not refer to an uncommon and more serious condition, hereditary angioedema. Hereditary angioedema involves swelling over the entire body, including some internal organs.

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