What is another term for hives?

Urticaria is the medical term commonly used to refer to hives, which are raised, itchy welts that can develop on the skin as a reaction to allergens, medications, or other triggers. Hives occur when the body releases histamine in response to these factors, leading to the swelling and redness characteristic of hives.

Understanding that urticaria and hives refer to the same condition is essential, as well as recognizing that the other terms mentioned identify different skin conditions. Dermatitis generally describes inflammation of the skin that could manifest in various ways, including redness and rash but is not synonymous with hives. Eczema is a specific type of dermatitis, often chronic and linked to dry, itchy skin, and psoriasis is a completely different condition related to an immune system disorder causing rapid skin cell production. Therefore, urticaria is the most accurate term for hives in this context.