What term describes a skin reaction that results in hives?

Urticaria is the medical term for hives, which are raised, itchy welts on the skin that can vary in size and may appear and disappear rapidly. This condition is often caused by an allergic reaction to food, medication, or other allergens. The mechanism behind urticaria involves the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators from mast cells in the skin, leading to increased blood flow and the development of the characteristic welts.

Pellagra refers to a deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3), which can cause skin lesions, but it does not specifically refer to hives. Exanthema commonly describes a widespread skin rash often associated with systemic illness, particularly viral infections, but again, it is not synonymous with hives. Maculopapular reflects a type of rash that features both macules (flat, discolored areas) and papules (raised bumps), but does not specifically correspond to the characteristics of hives. Thus, urticaria is the precise term used to describe the skin reaction known as hives.