Chronic hives or chronic urticaria is a skin rash that appears as dark red, raised, itchy bumps on the skin. Chronic hives are defined by recurrent episodes occurring at least twice a week for six weeks.
Chronic hives are not very common, and about 5% of people may have them in their lifetime.
The condition is usually more prevalent in women than in men.
Hives or urticaria (pronounced ur-tik-CARE-ee-uh) are itchy, raised, rash-like welts on the skin. Although no specific cause is known for them, hives may be triggered by allergic reactions to food or medicines. They usually tend to subside on their own.
When hives come back again and again almost every day for six weeks and frequently recur over months or years, it’s called Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) or chronic hives.
Chronic means that the condition repeatedly appears, even with treatment, and idiopathic means the condition comes on suddenly, with no known reason.
Symptoms of CIU or chronic hives include:
If your symptoms persist for more than six weeks and recur frequently and unpredictably, you may have chronic hives. Sometimes the condition can continue for months or even years.
Chronic hives do not put you at sudden risk of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). However, seek emergency care if you experience hives as part of a severe allergic reaction.
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis can include dizziness, trouble breathing, and swelling of your lips, eyelids, and tongue.
Patients with certain autoimmune diseases may be more prone to chronic hives.
However, in most cases, the cause of chronic hives is unknown, and it may be difficult to identify why it turns into a long-term problem.
Chronic hives may be triggered by:
In some cases, chronic hives could also be related to an underlying illness, such as thyroid problems or, in rare cases, cancer.
See your doctor if you believe your persistent problem with skin rash may be chronic hives. During your consultation, your doctor will likely want to know about your symptoms and ask about one or more of the following details.
Diagnostic tests will then be used to identify triggers for the skin condition. One or more of the following tests may be ordered to confirm or rule out various other causes.
If no other cause for your recurrent skin problem can be identified, you’ll likely be diagnosed with chronic hives.
While there is no known cure for chronic hives, they don't last forever. Most people have them off and on for one to five years, and it may last longer for a small number of people. Thankfully, chronic hives are not contagious even though they are itchy and painful.
Unfortunately, chronic hives can be very uncomfortable and tend to interfere with sleep and daily activities. Most patients find relief from the use of antihistamines and anti-itch medication. Other forms of treatment can include:
While at home, you can try some of the following alternatives to soothe your skin and control inflammation:
If you suspect your skin rash is a chronic hives problem, please call West Hills Allergy & Asthma Associates for a consultation with Dr. Rene Anderson-Cowell. You can call us at (503) 297-4779 or request an appointment online.