Chronic hives are itchy, red bumps on your skin that appear at least twice a week for over six weeks. They can be of different shapes and sizes and can hurt or sting. Call your doctor if you experience hives or swelling that lasts more than a week, infected-looking bumps, recurring hives, or severely itchy skin.

Chronic: A symptom or condition that persists even with treatment.

Idiopathic: The symptom or condition occurs suddenly for no known reason.

Urticaria: The medical term for hives.

Hives (urticaria) are red, raised spots on your skin that can itch. Swelling (also called angioedema) may occur in deep layers of tissue and affect areas like your face, lips, throat, hands, feet, and genitals. Hives and swelling can occur simultaneously.

Regular hives (acute hives) go away within a day and are usually gone in six weeks. A recent virus often causes them.

Chronic hives are different. They appear at least twice a week and last more than six weeks. They can even last for months or years, and often, we don’t know why they happen.

Chronic hives can look different for everyone. They can be as small as a pinprick or as large as a softball.

Symptoms include:

• Red, raised spots that might hurt or sting
• The centre of the hive turns white if you press it
• Itchy skin
• Swelling

You should call your doctor if you have:

• Hives or swelling lasting more than a week
• Bumps that look infected (red, swollen, or filled with pus)
• Hives that keep coming back every few months
• Extremely itchy skin

These symptoms may need medical attention, so it’s important to consult a health care provider if you notice any of them.

Stress and anxiety might make skin conditions worse. You might find relief through anti-anxiety medicines or stress-relieving therapies like mindfulness or meditation.