hives

noun

Pronunciation: /haɪvz/

Definition

An allergic skin reaction characterized by the sudden appearance of itchy, raised, pale red welts.

Examples

• She broke out in hives immediately after touching the cat.

• The doctor prescribed an antihistamine to help soothe her painful hives.

• Stress can sometimes trigger a breakout of hives in sensitive individuals.

How to Use hives

break out in hives (idiom)

to suddenly develop the condition — "He tends to break out in hives whenever he is near pollen."

have hives (collocation)

to be currently suffering from the condition — "She has hives on her neck and needs to take medication."

Synonyms of hives

Words with a similar meaning to hives:

• rash
• welts
• urticaria

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