Chronic Urticaria
Chronic urticaria is a condition that involves hives lasting six weeks or more, and may not have a known trigger. Unlike acute hives, chronic urticaria involves recurring outbreaks that continue for six weeks or longer, even though individual hives often fade within a day. When triggered, the body releases histamine, which causes swelling and itching of the skin. Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates helps patients manage and treat chronic hives.
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Symptoms of Chronic Urticaria
These symptoms can appear at any time and vary in shape, size, and severity from day to day. Sometimes they may simply appear as mild itching, while in other cases, they may cause painful outbreaks interfering with an individual’s routine activities.
- Raised, itchy welts
- Red, pink, or skin-colored patches
- Outbreaks that keep coming back for six weeks or longer
- Swelling that moves to different areas
- Burning or stinging feeling on the skin
- Swelling beneath the skin, known as angioedema
- Trouble sleeping due to itching
- Flare-ups brought on by heat, pressure, or stress
- Skin discomfort that affects daily life
- Hives that clear up and then come back again
What Can Lead to Chronic Urticaria?
Different factors contribute to chronic urticaria, and sometimes more than one is involved.
Autoimmune Factors
- Immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells
- Autoimmune conditions
Physical Triggers
- Heat
- Cold
- Pressure
- Exercise
- Sunlight
Infections and Other Health Issues
- Viral infections
- Bacterial infections
- Other underlying health conditions
Other Factors
- Stress
- Certain medications
- Unknown cause (idiopathic)
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How We Diagnose Chronic Urticaria
Identifying the cause of chronic urticaria takes more than a skin exam. Our team conducts the necessary assessments to determine the cause of your condition.
Medical History Review
We start by going over your health background to look for patterns and possible causes.
- How long your symptoms have lasted
- How often flare-ups happen
- Family health history
- Current and past medications
- Recent illnesses
- Known or suspected triggers
Physical Exam
Our experts examine your skin and evaluate the size, shape, and distribution of your hives. They will also determine whether there is any subcutaneous edema, which usually occurs near the eyes, lips, hands, or feet.
If there is any swelling in the lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing and swallowing, we treat it as an emergency condition.
Allergy Testing
If we think allergies may be part of the problem, we run tests to find out. These help us check for reactions to foods or things in your surroundings that may be causing chronic urticaria.
Additional Testing
When early tests do not give us a clear answer, we may order blood tests. If needed, we can send you to another doctor for further testing to rule out other conditions.
- Blood tests
- Autoimmune testing
- Referral to a specialist if more testing is needed
Your Care Plan
Once the diagnosis is complete, we build a care plan around your specific needs.
- Confirm the diagnosis
- Find out what may be causing your hives
- Check how severe your symptoms are
- Create a treatment plan made for you
- Set up ongoing check-ins to track your progress
Treatment Options for Chronic Urticaria
No single treatment works the same way for every patient. Care often calls for a combination of approaches that we adjust over time based on how your body responds.
Symptom Relief
- Antihistamines
- Itch relief
- Reducing skin swelling and redness
Medication Management
- Step-by-step treatment approach
- Adding other medications when needed
Trigger Management
- Staying away from known triggers
- Lifestyle tips to reduce flare-ups
- Stress management methods
Ongoing Follow-Up Care
- Tracking how well treatment is working
- Adjusting medications as needed
- Managing hives over the long term
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Accessible Care for Everyone
Living with chronic urticaria that keeps coming back is hard, and no one should put off care because of cost. Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates has over 40 years of experience helping patients with allergy and immune-related issues. Our team builds each care plan around the patient and uses current medical knowledge to guide every step.
We accept Medicaid and CHIP and work with major insurance providers. These include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, MetLife, and United Healthcare. For those without insurance, our SWAAA Round-Up flexible payment plan may help make allergy care more affordable.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both terms refer to the same condition where hives keep coming back for six weeks or longer.
Stress does not cause hives on its own, but it can make flare-ups happen more often or feel worse. Stress management is often part of a more comprehensive treatment plan for people with persistent hives.
It depends on the person, and no set timeline applies to every case. Some people see improvement within a year, while others deal with hives on and off for years. Staying in touch with our specialists can help keep your condition under better control over time.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
If hives have been showing up for six weeks or more, it may be time to speak with a specialist. Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates is here to help you get answers and build a plan for your care. Call our office today to set up your first visit with our allergy care team.
