Raised, itchy welts popping up across your skin may be hives. The NHS says hives usually get better within a few days and you can often treat them yourself. Ask a pharmacist about antihistamines, and try to find out what triggers hives for you. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or use 111 if they don’t improve after 2 days, the rash is spreading or it keeps coming back; call 999 if your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell or you’re struggling to breathe or swallow. This sets out the NHS page “Hives”.
1. Hives usually get better within a few days. Ask a pharmacist about antihistamines — they might not suit young children.
2. No better after 2 days, spreading, or keeps coming back: urgent GP appointment or 111.
3. Lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swollen, fast breathing or a tight throat: call 999 (119 in Korea) — it may be a serious allergic reaction.
What it looks like — NHS
The NHS says a hives rash can be raised bumps or patches in many shapes and sizes, and can itch, sting or burn. It happens when something causes high levels of histamine and other chemicals to be released in the skin.
What triggers it — NHS
| Group | What the NHS lists | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Certain foods | — |
| Contact | Certain plants, animals, chemicals and latex | — |
| Temperature | Cold, such as cold water or wind | Worth watching in winter |
| Sweat | Hot, sweaty skin from exercise, emotional stress or spicy food | — |
| Reactions | A reaction to a medicine, insect bite or sting | — |
| Pressure | Scratching or pressing on your skin, such as itchy or tight clothing | — |
| Health | An infection, or a problem with your immune system | — |
| Rare | Water or sunlight | The NHS calls this rare |
The NHS says to try to find out what triggers hives for you. We read that as: avoiding the trigger can cut repeat flare-ups (our reading). The NHS thresholds for itching in general are in itchy skin.
Pharmacist and GP — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | Advice on antihistamine treatment | — |
| Pharmacist | Might not be suitable for young children | — |
| Pharmacist | Tell them about any long-term condition | — |
| GP | May prescribe menthol cream, antihistamines or steroid tablets | — |
| GP | May refer you to a dermatologist if it doesn’t clear | — |
When to get help — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Symptoms don’t improve after 2 days | Urgent GP appointment or 111 | In Korea, a same-day clinic or dermatologist (our gloss) |
| You’re worried about your child’s hives | Urgent GP appointment or 111 | — |
| The rash is spreading | Urgent GP appointment or 111 | — |
| Hives keeps coming back | Urgent GP appointment or 111 | You may be allergic to something |
| You also have a high temperature and feel unwell | Urgent GP appointment or 111 | — |
| You also have swelling under your skin | Urgent GP appointment or 111 | — |
Call 999 — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell | 999 (119 in Korea) | May be a serious allergic reaction |
| You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe | 999 (119 in Korea) | — |
| Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow | 999 (119 in Korea) | — |
| Skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale | 999 (119 in Korea) | — |
| You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy | 999 (119 in Korea) | — |
| Someone faints and cannot be woken, or a child is limp, floppy or not responding normally | 999 (119 in Korea) | — |
The Korean emergency number is 119 (our gloss). Emergencies in general are in home emergencies.
Checklist
- ☐ Note possible triggers — food, cold, sweat, medicines, clothing
- ☐ Ask a pharmacist about antihistamines (check separately for young children)
- ☐ No better after 2 days, spreading, or keeps coming back: get seen
- ☐ Swollen lips, throat or tongue, or struggling to breathe: call 999 (119 in Korea)
If hives follow a bite or sting, the NHS says get urgent help if you were stung more than once or in the mouth, throat or near the eyes (insect bites and stings).
Questions that remain
I get hives whenever I’m out in the cold wind.
The NHS lists cold, such as cold water or wind, as a trigger. If it keeps coming back, that falls under the urgent GP or 111 row.
Are hives contagious?
This page doesn’t say. It only lists an infection as one possible cause.
It’s been going on for weeks.
This page doesn’t set a separate line for long-lasting hives. Its threshold is to get seen if there’s no improvement after 2 days.
Sources
- NHS — Hives — source (page shows: reviewed 26 April 2024, next review 26 April 2027; checked 19 October 2026). Appearance, duration, 9 triggers, pharmacist, GP treatment, 6 urgent and 7 999 reasons.
- Not read. Korean agency guidance on hives; other NHS pages on long-lasting hives.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where else to check
- A pharmacy or dermatology clinic — choosing an antihistamine, or if it’s no better after 2 days.
Written on 19 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
