Are hives contagious?

Hives are not contagious, and most breakouts of hives go away on their own, according to WebMD. Also known as urticaria, the condition is characterized by a pink rash and raised, itchy red spots.

Hives vary in size and can occur anywhere on the body, including the ears, throat, tongue, lips or face. They can be caused by an infection or occur as the result of an allergic reaction. Some instances of hives have no apparent cause. Acute breakouts generally disappear without any medical intervention, although hives can be a symptom of a more pressing medical problem, particularly when accompanied by difficulty breathing, according to WebMD.