Hives (urticaria) are described as?

• A. Red, itchy, swollen spots/patches; seen in allergic reactions
• B. Wart
• C. Common, harmless skin growth with dry patches
• D. Yellow flat papules around eyes

Answer: (A)

Hives are raised, red, itchy welts that appear on the skin and often move around the body, coming and going in response to triggers. This description fits hives because the hallmark is pruritic, swollen patches that result from histamine release in the skin during an allergic or other reaction. The welts can vary in size and shape, may have pale centers, and tend to blanch (fade) when pressed.

This is why the statement describing red, itchy, swollen spots or patches seen in allergic reactions is the best match. Warts are different lesions caused by HPV and are typically firm, rough, skin-colored growths that don’t come and go or itch in the same way. A common harmless skin growth with dry patches usually refers to conditions like eczema or psoriasis, which involve dry, scaly patches rather than transient, itchy welts. Yellow flat papules around the eyes suggest a different issue (such as xanthelasma) and are not characteristic of hives.