While living with chronic hives can be difficult, uncomfortable, and painful, there are ways to cope.
The majority of people with chronic hives develop hives with no external trigger.
Talking with your doctor about a proper treatment plan can help you live well with the condition.
Ivan Balvan / iStock / Getty Images
This article will discuss how chronic hives can impact your quality of life.
Ivan Balvan / iStock / Getty Images
Hivescommonly appear as itchy, raised bumps on the skin.
They are often red and swollen and can vary in size from the smallest dots to large circles.
Most hives resolve within two to three hours.
Urticaria, or hives, when chronic, can persist for weeks, months, or years.
When hives are chronic, they are most commonly spontaneous and not triggered by an allergen or external trigger.
They can also be related to underlying autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease.
The majority of cases of chronic urticaria are benign and not associated with a more severe underlying condition.
Chronic hives are hives that occur at least twice a week and last for more than six weeks.
Emotional
Living with a chronic condition can be draining and affect your emotional health.
It is normal to want to return to your state of health before your diagnosis.Anxietyanddepressionare common with chronic hives.
You may be upset or feel exhausted by the amount of work it takes to manage your hives.
You may even be embarrassed by your condition.
All your feelings are valid when it comes to living with chronic hives.
Noting your feelings and talking about them with professionals or even close friends or family can help.
Perhaps you are in pain or dont get enough sleep due to itching.
Maybe you experience side effects such as drowsiness from your medications.
All of these are concrete ways that the condition can affect your life.
Reach out to your physician with these concerns as well.
There arenewer treatments for chronic spontaneous urticariathat may be able to help you avoid these symptoms.
Physical Urticaria Triggers
Most people with chronic urticaria do not need to avoid one particular trigger.
Physical urticarias have specific triggers, but these are much rarer.
However, avoidance may not always be possible.
For example, you may find that the sun triggers your symptoms.
For some people, stress, exercise, and heat can cause hives; this is called cholinergic urticaria.
Sometimes you better find a balance between avoiding your triggers and your overall well-being.
Social
Living with a chronic condition like hives can feel isolating.
Sometimes it is difficult to fully express how much your condition affects your life.
If you are embarrassed by your condition, talk to someone you trust.
Let them know that you struggle with this.
If you feel overwhelmed, know that you are not alone.
Surrounding yourself with people who understand what you are going through can help.
A quick online search can help you find a support group for people experiencing chronic hives.
Even a look through social media can help you find a tribe of others going through the same thing.
Finding a therapist who has experience with patients who live with chronic illness can also be a great help.
They can also be distracting if they are causing pain or itching.
Both of these can result in a loss of productivity.
Speaking up about your experiences and asking for help and accommodations can improve your quality of life.
Summary
Chronic urticaria can affect your daily life.
Be aware of symptoms of depression, and seek care if they persist.
Seek social support through friends, support groups, or a therapist.
The majority of people with chronic hives have no external trigger.
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