goodtoknow says: Hives are a very common skin allergy often caused by insect bites, certain foods like milk and nuts or drugs such as medication. They are basically red lumps or wheals on your skin that can appear as clusters. They can be very itchy but usually disappear within one to two days and cause no harm. Most people with acute urticaria don't feel ill apart from the itching which can be relieved very effectively with anti-histamines and a cool bath or shower. If you get these rashes a lot, you should see a specialist to find the cause.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of hives from patient.co.uk, read on.

Acute urticaria is a condition where an itchy rash suddenly develops. The rash may be triggered by an allergy, or by another factor such as heat or exercise. In most cases the rash lasts 24-48 hours and is not serious. You may not require any treatment, but antihistamines can ease the symptoms until the rash clears.

What is acute urticaria?

Urticaria (sometimes called hives) is an itchy rash caused by tiny amounts of fluid that leak from blood vessels just under the skin surface. Urticaria is classed as:

• Acute urticaria - if it develops suddenly and lasts less than six weeks. Most cases last 24-48 hours. About 1 in 6 people will have at least one bout of urticaria in their life. It can affect anyone at any age. Some people have recurring bouts of acute urticaria.
• Chronic urticaria - if it persists longer than six weeks. (Chronic means persistent or ongoing.) This is uncommon.

This rest of this leaflet deals only with acute urticaria.

• Next: What does the rash of acute urticaria look like?

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