What skin condition is characterized by hives or wheals accompanied by itch?

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a skin condition characterized by the sudden appearance of raised, itchy welts or wheals on the skin. These welts can vary in size and shape and are usually accompanied by a significant urge to scratch due to the intense itching sensation. Urticaria occurs when the body releases histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream, often in response to allergens.

In contrast, eczema primarily involves dry, inflamed skin that can also be itchy, but it manifests differently than urticaria. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that results in red, scaly patches on the skin rather than welts. Dermatitis is a general term for skin inflammation that can have various causes and presentations, but it also does not typically present with the wheals indicative of urticaria. Understanding these distinctions further emphasizes why urticaria is the condition specifically linked to the presence of hives and itch.