Hives is a skin condition that is typically accompanied by itching. The appearance of hives can be any single or combination of bumps, welts or scratches on the skin anywhere on the body. Hives usually indicates a related food allergy, however it may be the body's way of warning about beginning stages of kidney or liver disease. It's important to obtain a medical examination and testing from appropriate medical specialists because hives can sometimes be a precursor to Anaphylactic Shock that is life threatening due to the possibility of a respiratory emergency.