What skin condition is commonly associated with the appearance of hives?

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is characterized by the sudden appearance of raised, itchy welts on the skin. This condition arises from an allergic reaction or other triggers, leading to the release of histamine and other chemicals from mast cells in the skin. These chemical mediators increase the permeability of blood vessels, causing fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues, resulting in the swelling and redness associated with hives.

The other conditions listed differ significantly from urticaria. Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder marked by red patches of skin covered with thick, silvery scales, whereas dermatitis is a general term for inflammation of the skin that can present in various forms, including contact dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis. Eczema, often used interchangeably with dermatitis, refers primarily to a group of conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated, typically featuring dry and itchy skin, but not the raised welts seen in hives. Therefore, the defining characteristics of urticaria make it the correct association with the appearance of hives.