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HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury

Hives (urticaria)

Mate kārawa

Hives (medical name urticaria) are red raised itchy weals or bumps, which can appear anywhere on your body. Hives are common and many people get them at some stage in their lives.

Hives usually go away within a couple of days without needing any treatment or tests.

Hives can be caused by an allergy to something (for example, a trigger such as seafood, peanuts or insect stings), but sometimes a cause cannot be found.

Treatment involves taking antihistamines and avoiding triggers if you know what these are.

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Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.

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Page reference: 48933

Review key: HIALL-38559