@msskypooh I had my gallbladder out several years ago and no rash. Hives tend to pop up go away and pop up in another spot and usually much larger. .. like being attacked by a bunch of mosquitos or bees. This looks like an allergy from something used on your skin. I get such rashes just from my seasonal pollen allergies and some prescription creams I've used.

Use unscented soap .. something like Dove and other soaps for sensitive skin.. to bathe with. My husband makes our soap.. so cannot remember the brand names now. When I am really bad like you are now after I have washed with soap and rinsed I soak a cloth with apple cider vinegar and go all over the areas covered in rash and rinse. I keep an old shampoo bottle filled with apple cider vinegar in the shower. Smelling like apple cider vinegar to me is a better choice than the misery of a rash. You can use white vinegar but I personally think apple cider vinegar works better for rashes. Once you dry off apply Aloe gel or lotion... right from the Aloe plant works best, but if only option is the gel or lotion it will still work better than hydrocortisone cream. I have also found that the triple antibiotic cream with pain relief works better than hydrocortisone.

I hope you find relief soon.
ZeeGee