But don’t you have a new plant that you touched? Could it be the cause?

Uh oh…I hate it when that happens!

So glad to hear that you are improving, even while your body is showing signs that something isn’t quite right. I recommend chocolate to tip the balance in the right direction.

I can get allergic reactions from the products of people around me – anyone wearing lotion or perfume or something that could have rubbed off on you (or onto a cabinet handle/pet/hand-towel/? and then onto you)?

I also sometimes develop allergies to things I’ve been fine with before (thanks, All The Shampoos Except One), so there’s that. But I hope you feel all better soon.

Your hives might be part of the virus. My children have had this several times and doctors have suggested to us that it is common for a virus to “show itself” this way. It may not be any kind of allergic reaction at all. It can be treated with antihistamines (If you can take them) so you do not itch too much–but I wouldn’t worry about whatever potential allergy is out there…we are allergic folk but have been told that if you have a virus? It might well be caused by the virus.