The main symptoms of urticaria (hives) include:
Wheals are well-defined, superficial swellings of the skin that itch intensely and are surrounded by redness. They appear suddenly and usually disappear within 30 minutes to 24 hours.
Angioedema refers to deeper, larger swellings of the skin or mucous membranes, often affecting:
They may cause a feeling of pressure or tingling and can last up to 72 hours.
In spontaneous urticaria, the entire body is often affected. In the inducible form, usually only the areas exposed to the triggering stimulus are affected.