The focus group is for people to share their experiences living with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) and chronic inducible urticaria (CindU)
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU)
Ask the Allergist: Pinpointing the Cause of Hives
Chitra Dinakar, MD: answers the Ask the Allergist question: what if I am breaking out in hives and can’t find the cause?
Chronic Idiopathic Urticariaโs Impact on Quality of Life
Itโs estimated that 20 percent of people in the United States will develop hives โ an itchy rash...
Ask the Allergist: A Look at Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Hives that keep coming back for 6 weeks or more are called chronic hives or chronic urticaria โ and they are rarely caused by allergy.
All About
Urticaria, or hives, are itchy red welts affecting about 20% of people at some point in their lives. Hives often indicate an allergy to a food or medication and will subside on their own.
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU) occurs when hives repeatedly appear without apparent cause. It affects less than 1% of people. Those diagnosed with CIU have daily (or near-daily) outbreaks for six weeks or more, with no discernible reason. Each episode usually lasts no more than 24 hours, but new hives may appear.
Doctors donโt know what causes CIU. They know it is most common in adults ages 20-40 and that the immune system likely plays a part. Research shows that hormonal problems, cancer, and thyroid disease occur in some people experiencing CIU.
A CIU diagnosis involves testing for conditions that could cause hives and interpreting personal history. Mapping hive outbreaks, other symptoms experienced, diet, medications, pets in the home, and other lifestyle factors could indicate an allergy. If this doesnโt uncover allergic reactions or any condition associated with hives, CIU is the likely diagnosis.
CIU is not contagious or dangerous and usually goes away. Most experience CIU anywhere from 1-5 years, though that is small comfort while you are experiencing symptoms. Known triggers include:
- Temperature changes
- Exercise/sweating
- Tight clothing
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- Alcohol
- Stress/anxiety
- Sun exposure
CIU treatment usually starts with over-the-counter antihistamines. If they donโt help, H2 blockers to halt histamine production or oral corticosteroids such as prednisone are next.
Antidepressants and immunosuppressants have also been successful in treatment. Monthly omalizumab (Xolair) injections are effective but also very expensive. These treatments may relieve your symptoms, but they are not a cure. Hives may reoccur when you stop using medications, until the condition recedes on its own.