Hives on the neck are commonly caused by allergies, stressful situations, or certain medicines. People also occasionally develop hives on the neck when they sweat profusely or get sick with a virus or other type of infection. Hives can be caused by almost anything, but allergies are usually to blame. Hives normally go away within a few hours, but in some cases they persist for as long as an entire day. Some people also have chronic problems with hives that keep recurring after disappearing.

There are many different allergies that people can have that might cause them to break out in hives on the neck. Bee sting allergies, reactions to various bath or cleaning products, and even food allergies can cause hives to develop. Most of the time the hives cease to be a problem as soon as whatever is causing the reaction is removed from the immediate surroundings of the person experiencing them. Sometimes it's hard to be certain that hives on the neck were caused by allergies, and people often have to go through a trial and error process to find out exactly what they might be allergic to.

When hives on the neck develop along with other problems such as facial swelling, throat swelling, and unusual blistering or itching, medical attention should be received right away. If hives occur along with these other serious symptoms, they are most likely the result of a potentially serious allergic reaction. Some people have allergies to things like bees, peanuts, and various types of fish that are serious enough to be considered life threatening, and getting medical attention as soon as possible could prevent tragic consequences.

Stressful situations and nervousness might also cause hives on the neck. Many people develop neck hives after unpleasant confrontations with other people or just before an important event is about to occur in their lives. It is also not uncommon for hives to develop when a person is feeling scared. Anything in life that can entice nervousness and tension could result in neck hives. When hives on the neck develop because of a stressful experience, they usually go away as soon calm feelings return.

Neck hives might also develop when people become sick from either some type of disease or an infection. There are also various medicines with side effects that may cause neck hives. Regardless of the cause of hives on the neck, they are almost always temporary. Taking showers in cold water, using oral antihistamines, and avoiding things that trigger neck hives are things doctors often recommend for dealing with hives. It is usually not possible to force hives to go away, but they almost always do within a short period of time with or without treatment.