Medically Reviewed by Neha Pathak, MD on October 10, 2024

Talk to your doctor about a diagnosis of chronic spontaneous urticaria

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Andressa Hunsel
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Blogger Andressa Hunsel has a series dedicated to her struggle with chronic hives. The Floridian’s daughter describes the itchy condition as looking like a tomato. She says she was embarrassed by her red, striped skin, especially when it flared up on her face. There was no explanation, but pills, injections, warm baths, and stress management have provided relief.

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SOURCES:

Allergy & Asthma Network: "Chronic Hives: 10 Actions to Support Your Mental Health."

American Academy of Dermatology: "Hives: Diagnosis and Treatment," "10 Ways to Get Relief from Chronic Hives." 

American Academy of Family Physicians: "Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems."

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: "Hives."

Cleveland Clinic: "Antihistamines," "Chronic Hives (Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria)."

Frontiers in Immunology: "Autoimmune Theories of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria."

Mayo Clinic: "Chronic Hives." 

Michigan State University Extension: "What to do after a doctor’s visit."

Mount Sinai: "Autoimmune Disorders." 

National Institute on Aging: "Five Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor's Visit."

StatPearls: "Antihistamines," "Chronic Urticaria."

University of California San Francisco: "Communicating with Your Doctor."

UpToDate: "An overview of angioedema: Clinical features, diagnosis, and management," "Chronic spontaneous urticaria: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and natural history," "Chronic spontaneous urticaria: Standard management and patient education."

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