Hives The welts associated with hives can be: 
Skin-colored, reddish on white skin, or purplish on black and brown skin
Itchy, ranging from mild to intense
Round, oval or worm-shaped
As small as a pea or as large as a dinner plate
 Most hives appear quickly and go away within 24 hours. This is known as acute hives. Chronic hives can last for months or years. Angioedema Angioedema is a reaction similar to hives that affects deeper layers of the skin. It can appear with hives or alone. Signs and symptoms include: 
Welts that form in minutes to hours
Swelling, especially around the eyes, cheeks or lips
Mild pain and warmth in the affected areas
