Breaking out in hives in several places?

Very common: Hives are characterized by swelling, itching, and redness. They often are red, raised, and will often start as small, pinpoint lesions that coalesce into large lesions. They literally can occur anywhere on the body and can often occur in multiple places. There are many causes for hives including food allergy, medications, temperature changes, and allergy to materials that touch the skin.