When Hives and Breathing Changes Appear Together

Hives, which doctors call urticaria, are one of the most common skin reactions people experience. They appear as raised, red or pink welts on the surface of the skin. Sometimes they are round. Other times they are irregular and spread across a wide area.

They often feel itchy or carry a mild burning sensation. They can pop up anywhere on the body: the arms, the chest, the neck, the face, or the legs.

What makes hives surprising is how quickly they can appear. One moment your skin feels normal. A short while later, you notice swelling and redness spreading across an area you hadn’t even touched. This sudden nature is one reason they can catch people off guard.

For many adults, particularly those over 60, hives may seem like something that happens to younger people or children. In reality, allergic skin reactions can occur at any age. In fact, older adults may sometimes experience new sensitivities that they never had earlier in life.