What does a hive look like?
Dr. Bittner: Hives can vary in character. They can look like anything from little pin point raised bumps to big raised welts. Sometimes they have a red outline and a raised white center and kind of look like big mosquito bites. In the very deep tissues areas as large as 5 to 10 inches or more can rise, swell, itch, and give a burning sensation. Q: How long do they usually last? Dr. Bittner: Hives typically will last less than 24 to 36 hours, but the swelling can last up to two or three days if it goes untreated. Then there are some rare cases when the hives can last longer than 24 hours and that is the tip off to do some more investigative work-up as to why you are getting the hives. Q: Let’s go back to some of the more common cases. What causes them? Dr. Bittner: It’s not unusual for hives to occur for a day or two sporadically. Twenty percent of the population gets hives at one point or another. The causes of hives are based on how long the hives last. If hives last longer then six w
