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Hives

Hives rashes usually settle down within a few minutes to a few days. You can often treat hives yourself.

Check if you have hives

Thigh of a person with black skin, showing many raised patches caused by hives. Patches are different shapes and sizes.
Hives can appear as raised patches of skin.
Raised, red patches across a baby’s thigh and some small red spots on their hand, caused by hives. Shown on white skin.
The rash can be red. Redness can be harder to see on brown or black skin.
A rash of red spots all over the leg, arm and hand of a person with white skin, caused by hives. Their fingers are very red.
The rash can also be raised spots.

Hives can be different sizes and shapes and appear anywhere on the body in both adults and children.

The rash is often itchy and sometimes feels like it's stinging or burning.

If you're not sure it's hives

Look at other rashes in babies and children.

A pharmacist can help with hives

A pharmacist can give you advice about antihistamine tablets to help a hives rash.

Tell the pharmacist if you have a long-term condition – you might not be able to take antihistamines.

They also may not be suitable for young children.

Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • the symptoms do not improve after 2 days
  • you're worried about your child's hives
  • the rash is spreading
  • hives keeps coming back – you may be allergic to something
  • you also have a high temperature and feel generally unwell
  • you also have swelling under the skin – this might be angioedema
Information:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: how to contact a GP

It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery:

  • visit their website
  • use the NHS App
  • call them

Find out about using the NHS during COVID-19

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

  • you're wheezing
  • you get tightness in your chest or throat
  • you have trouble breathing or talking
  • your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Treatment for hives from a GP

A GP may prescribe menthol cream, stronger antihistamines or steroid tablets.

If hives does not go away with treatment, you may be referred to a skin specialist (dermatologist).

You cannot always prevent hives

You get hives when something causes high levels of histamine and other chemicals to be released in your skin. This is known as a trigger.

Triggers can include:

  • eating certain foods
  • contact with certain plants, animals, chemicals and latex
  • cold – such as cold water or wind
  • hot, sweaty skin – from exercise, emotional stress or eating spicy food
  • a reaction to a medicine, insect bite or sting
  • scratching or pressing on your skin – such as wearing itchy or tight clothing
  • an infection
  • a problem with your immune system
  • water or sunlight – but this is rare

Try to find out what triggers hives for you, so you can avoid those triggers. This may help prevent an episode of hives.

Page last reviewed: 13 April 2021
Next review due: 13 April 2024