Your personal health guide for Chronic Urticaria

What is chronic spontaneous urticaria?

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a skin condition characterized by the spontaneous appearance of hives, which are red, itchy welts or swellings on the skin, without an identifiable trigger. The term "chronic" indicates that the condition persists for six weeks or longer, and "spontaneous" means that the hives occur without a known cause, unlike other types of urticaria that may be triggered by specific factors like foods, medications, or physical stimuli.


In CSU, the hives can appear anywhere on the body and may come and go unpredictably. They often cause significant discomfort due to itching, and in some cases, they may be accompanied by angioedema, which is a deeper swelling of the skin, often affecting areas like the eyelids, lips, or throat.


The exact cause of CSU is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve an autoimmune component where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, leading to the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause the hives.

What are the most common symptoms?

Unlike other forms of urticaria, which may be triggered by specific factors such as foods or environmental allergens, CSU occurs without any identifiable cause, making it challenging to manage.



Common symptoms include:

• Red, itchy hives that can appear anywhere on the body
• Swelling (angioedema), particularly around the eyes, lips, and throat
• Itching that can range from mild to severe
• Welts or welts that change size, shape, and location over a short period, typically within a day

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