Hives

[KRISTENK]

What causes hives?

[cheyenne]

bees??

[smudge]

Also certain plants, but no doubt New Forester could advise you further.

[Emoire]

Hives = 'an itchy skin eruption characterized by weals with pale interiors and well-defined red margins; usually the result of an allergic response to insect bites or food or drugs' Sorry it's not very specific.

[woofgang]

hives are caused by a histamine reaction in the skin. this is caused by an irritant, usually an allergic one. You can demonstrate this effect by running your fingernail firmly along the inside of your forearm (Don't try this if you suffer from skin sensetivities or allegies as you might bet a bigger reaction than you bargained for and don't use anything sharper than a fingernail and don't draw blood) After about 20 sec you should see a slightly raised red line caused by histamine. Aaaah the pleasures of "O" level biology...