Chronic Hives Allergy & Asthma Center of Duncanville
Overview
Hives, also known as urticaria, affect about 20% of people at some time during their lives. It can be triggered by many substances or situations and usually starts as an itchy patch of skin that turns into swollen red welts.
Chronic hive symptoms are generally the same as “short-lived” hive symptoms but appear at least twice a week and last more than six weeks.
Rarely, cases of hives last more than six weeks and can last months or up to 5 years. This condition is known as chronic spontaneous/idiopathic urticaria (ongoing, of unknown cause).
Symptoms
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Raised itchy bumps, either red or skin-colored
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“Blanching” (when pressed, the center of a red hive turns white)
Management & Treatment
Chronic hives should be evaluated by an allergist.
Medications or other treatments such as sedating antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents, and sulfones may be attempted.
Prednisone, an oral steroid, but has long-term side effects, making it undesirable for chronic use. Steroids should be avoided whenever possible.
Non-steroid drugs with anti-inflammatory properties. Because many of these medications are by prescription only and can have side effects, they should be prescribed by an allergist or dermatologist with experience in treating chronic hives.
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