Hives typically appear on the abdomen, back, chest, arms, or legs. But they can also appear on your face, especially around the mucus membranes that line your eyes and mouth.

Hives (urticaria) are itchy, bumpy patches of irritated skin.

They are usually reddish or pinkish on light skin or slightly darker than the skin on dark skin. Hives are a common symptom of an allergic reaction. About 25% of people are likely to get hives at some point in their lifetime.

The look of hives on the face can vary among different people, and your skin color can affect how they appear. Here are the most common symptoms of hives on your face:

  • patches of bumps of different shapes that feel textured to the touch
  • combination of small and large bumps
  • bumps that appear suddenly after you’re exposed to a trigger, such as dust or fragrances
  • bumps change color when you press down on them
  • itchiness around the affected area
  • bumps go away after a few hours or days

Here are some pictures showing what hives on your face may look like.

Yes, you can get hives on your nose.

Hives on your nose have similar symptoms to hives anywhere else on your body, including patches of itchy, textured bumps. But other conditions can also result in similar symptoms, including:

Hives don’t always have a clear cause, and doctors refer to this as “idiopathic”.

However, some known causes of hives on your face include:

People at a higher risk of getting hives on their face may have:

Potential complications of having hives on your face include:

Contact a doctor if you have itchy or painful hives that haven’t gone away in a few days.

You may also want to get medical attention if you have constant flare-ups that are disruptive to your life.

Medical emergency

Call emergency medical services or go to the nearest emergency room if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Here are some tips for preventing hives on your face:

  • Learn what your triggers are and try to avoid them as much as possible.
  • Remove products that may contain triggers, such as added perfumes and fragrances.
  • Use unscented soaps, detergents, or other cleaning products with as few harsh chemicals as possible.
  • Stay indoors during hot or cold weather.
  • Wear clothing that protects your skin from the sun or temperatures that are too hot or too cold.

Hives can appear almost anywhere on your body, including your face.

Most cases of hives go away in a few hours or days without any treatment. But make sure you get medical help if you have painful, itchy hives that don’t go away after a few days or if you have trouble breathing from an allergic reaction.