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 
hives welts associated hives can be:  skin-colored  reddish white skin  purplish black brown skin itchy  ranging mild intense round  oval worm-shaped small pea large dinner plate  hives quickly away 24 hours  known acute hives  chronic hives can last months years  angioedema angioedema reaction similar hives affects deeper layers skin  can hives alone  signs symptoms include:  welts form minutes hours swelling  especially eyes  cheeks lips mild pain warmth affected areas 
hives and angioedema