Hives (Urticaria):
Teen information

The most common locations for hives includes:

• Trunk
• Upper arms or upper legs

However, hives can affect any skin surface.

An individual hive lesion appears as a well-defined, pink-to-red swellings ranging in size from 2 mm to over 30 cm. Some lesions may develop a lighter center. Hives usually appear in groups or batches.

Individual lesions of hives disappear within 24 hours, though a single episode may last much longer.

Dermographism is a type of hives that appears within a few minutes of scratching the skin. The rash is usually seen in a straight line (linear) pattern.

Swelling of the eyes, mouth, hands, feet, or genitals can sometimes occur with hives. This swelling, called angioedema, usually goes away within 24 hours.
 
Usually itchy, hives can also burn or sting.