- papular urticaria natural - solar urticaria cure - chronic urticariabr br What are hives (urticaria) and angioedema?br br Hives (medically known as urticaria) appear on the skin as wheals that are red, very itchy, br smoothly elevated areas of skin often with a blanched center. br br They appear in varying shapes and sizes, from a few millimeters br to several inches in diameter anywhere on the body.br br It is estimated that 20 of all people willbr develop urticaria at some point in their lives.