Like hives, heat rash will appear as red bumps on the skin, though heat rash among adults generally occurs in areas where sweat gets trapped, such as in the armpit area, elbow creases, and the groin. Heat rash (also known as prickly heat or miliaria), as the name suggests, typically appears in hot and humid weather.The bumps look like acne and may contain pus, which hives generally do not. It’s most common among middle-aged women with fair skin. Rosacea usually appears as redness on the face where swollen blood vessels become visible.Hives may change shape and move around the body, whereas a bug bite stays in the same place. Bug bites may resemble hives in looks, but hives tend to behave differently.Severe itchiness (especially at night), fluid-filled bumps, and red to brownish-gray patches indicate eczema rather than hives. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is common among children but can affect adults, too.Generally, angioedema is accompanied by swollen lips, eyelids, hands, throat, or feet, trouble breathing, and cramps. It’s usually caused by an allergic reaction, certain medicines, or a genetic disposition. Angioedema is swelling of tissue deep in the skin.Hives are often mistaken for the following skin issues: “If the welts are filled with clear fluid, pus, or are brownish in color, it is likely not hives,” says Dr. Palep. Other skin issues that are often mistaken for hives tend to last for more than one day in the same location, he explains.Īlso, check out the welts up close. “Hives will usually have an area of skin that welts up, goes away in a few hours, and then reappears somewhere else,” he says. He says one way to tell the difference is by how quickly the welts clear up. “To the untrained eye, hives can have a similar appearance to other common skin conditions,” Dr. Choudhury says. These symptoms indicate you may be experiencing a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If you experience other symptoms, such as swelling in the eyes, lips, or inside of the throat, or if you have trouble breathing, you should call 911 or see a doctor immediately, says Sapna Palep, MD, a dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. Generally, you’ll know you have hives simply by seeing the hives themselves. (4) They can appear anywhere on the body, though some people get them in the same spot over and over again (usually as a result of a specific trigger). Hives may appear on the body grouped together and take over a large area of the skin, or as a couple of individual welts that show up here and there. ( 4) When you press the center of a hive bump on the skin, it likely will turn from red to white, which is known as blanching. They may be as small as the tip of a pen or as large as a dinner plate. They may itch, sometimes severely, and they’re not always the same size or shape. They may look similar to bug bites, but hives generally will appear and disappear more quickly. Usually the welts will be surrounded by clear edges. “Hives are characterized by red or pale-colored welts on the skin, which typically come and go throughout the day,” says Sourab Choudhury, DO, a dermatologist and the chief medical officer at the Dermatology Specialists, a private dermatology practice in New York City.