Hives are a reaction that you have to something but they do not always mean that you are allergic. Hives are a result of histamine being released from mast cells which causes a leakage of fluid from the cells creating a raised area of the skin. Some common allergens that may cause hives include reactions to food, medications or insect bites. in most cases, hives are more of an annoyance to the individual than a threat unless there is known allergies to the culprit such as sever bee sting allergies or nut allergies. If you find that you have sustainable hives for more than 2-3 weeks or if the hives come and go regularly then you may need to see a dermatologist to help you determine what the cause is and if any treatments are warranted. You can find a dermatologist at http://www.wellnesscenters.com/states/dermatologist-18 If your hives are in fact the result of an allergic reaction then you must retrace your steps to determine what (if any) changes were made which resulted in the reaction. If you ate a new food, used a new laundry detergent, or wore a new article of clothing that was made out of a fibrous material that is new then any of these could have caused the hives. Unfortunately, approximately 80% of the time hives cannot be alleged to an allergic reaction so you may find it very difficult to determine the root of the problem.