🌿 Chronic Hives (Chronic Urticaria)
Chronic hives are red, itchy, raised welts (wheals) on the skin that last for more than 6 weeks, often appearing and disappearing unpredictably.
🔍 Causes
- Often unknown (idiopathic)
- May be triggered by:
- Allergies (foods, medications)
- Infections
- Autoimmune conditions
- Stress
- Physical triggers (pressure, heat, cold)
- Hormonal changes
⚠️ Symptoms
- Itchy, red, swollen welts on skin
- Wheals may vary in size and shape
- Can appear anywhere on the body
- Sometimes accompanied by angioedema (swelling of deeper skin layers, especially lips, eyelids)
🧪 Diagnosis
- Clinical history and physical exam
- Allergy testing or blood tests to identify underlying causes
- Sometimes skin biopsy if diagnosis unclear
🛠️ Treatment
- Antihistamines (first-line treatment)
- Higher doses or combination antihistamines if needed
- Corticosteroids for short-term flare-ups
- Immunomodulatory drugs (e.g., omalizumab, cyclosporine) for resistant cases
- Avoid known triggers
🛡️ Tips
- Keep a symptom diary to track triggers and flare-ups
- Avoid scratching to prevent skin damage
- Stress management techniques may help