Hives are characterized by red, itchy welts on the skin. A doctor can diagnose hives by examining the skin and potentially performing a skin biopsy or blood tests. Hives are usually caused by allergic reactions to things like animals, insects, foods or medications, but can also be triggered by emotional stress, temperature changes or illness. While uncomfortable, hives are generally harmless and will disappear on their own without long-term effects. Treatment focuses on avoiding triggers and using antihistamines.

1. -Hives-

2. Symptoms
Red
Itchy
Welts

3. Diagnoses
 A doctor can tell by looking at skin (a history of
allergies make it easier to tell)
 Skin Biopsy
 Blood testing

4. Causes
 Allergic reaction to:
 Animals
 Insect bites
 Medications
 Pollen
 Shellfish/fish/nuts/eggs/milk
 water
 Hives can also develop as a result of:
 Emotional stress
 Extreme cold or sun exposure
 Illness

5. Epidemiology
 Hives can grow bigger and spread to other areas of the
body
 They can also change shape
 Hives don’t usually spread from person to person but if
multiple people have an allergic reaction to the same
thing, it would be possible for multiple people to get
hives at the same time

6. Treatments
 Avoid hot baths or showers
 Take antihistamines
 Don’t wear or do anything that
will irritate the hives

7. Prognosis
 Will be uncomfortable
 Will go away on their own
 Generally harmless

8. Works Cited
 Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. A.D.A.M. U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 18 Nov. 0000. Web. 30 Sept. 2012.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001848/fig
ure/A000845.B19325/?report=objectonly>.
 Fanpop, n.d. Web.
<http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/8400000/cute-
cats-cats-8477446-600-600.jpg>.
 "Hives." Hives. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Nov. 0000.
Web. 30 Sept. 2012.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001848/>.
 N.p., n.d. Web.
<http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S157821901200203X
?via=sd&cc=y>.
 N.p., n.d. Web. <http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/sun-update-
1.jpg>.