Hives/Urticaria is characterised by very itchy weals (hives), with or without surrounding erythematous flares. The name urticaria is derived from the common European stinging nettle Urtica dioica. Urticaria can be acute or chronic, spontaneous or inducible. Hives is not contagious. However, if it stems from an underlying infection, that infection could be contagious. Examples of these infections include the flu, the common cold, glandular fever, also known as […]