Urticaria or hives is an abrupt outbreak of pale red bumps (welts) on the skin. They are also known as welts, weals, or nettle rash.

Hives may result after you have got a skin reaction. When an allergic reaction occurs, the body produces a protein called histamine. When histamine is released, capillaries, the small blood vessels may start to leak fluid, which, when buildup, may trigger a rash. As the reaction runs its course, the welts or red bumps may appear and fade away repeatedly.

The swelling that often follows hives is named so angioedema. If welts grow for more than 1.5 months or six weeks and come and go for months or years, it is referred to as chronic lives.

Chronic hives may interfere with your sleep and abstain you from living a normal healthy life. It is not contagious, though.