Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is a chronic skin condition marked by recurring hives and/or swelling lasting 6 weeks or more, often without a clear trigger.1,2,3,4
Symptoms are unpredictable and not always visible, which can delay recognition and underestimate their impact on daily life.5,6
CSU is often mistaken for eczema, or allergies, which can delay accurate diagnosis and treatment.4
Unlike allergies, it involves a specific dysregulation of the immune system.5 Leading to mast cells releasing histamine from the inside out, and swelling.
Sleep is mostly affected — 68% of people with CSU struggle with it.6
Symptoms affect work — CSU patients report difficulty in professional settings, including meetings and social activities.7
4× patients report more severe symptoms than their doctor realises.8
CSU symptoms are similar to short-lived hives, but they recur frequently and persist over time. Symptoms typically appear at least twice a week and can continue for six weeks or longer.
CSU can be difficult to recognise because symptoms come and go, are not always visible, and may be expected to resolve on their own. This can delay diagnosis for some patients.9
CSU is often identified after a patient with similar symptoms, such as allergies or eczema, have been ruled out, a process known as diagnosis of exclusion.10
If symptoms aren't visible on the day of your visit, these can help your doctor understand what's happening:
Antihistamines are generally the first-line treatment for CSU. While they are effective for some people, many continue to experience symptoms.14
Over half (61.4%) of people remain symptomatic on antihistamines.16,22 Some also report side effects such as drowsiness.14
Your treatment goal doesn't have to be “slightly better”. Minimal symptoms and little disruption to daily life are valid goals.
If you're still feeling itchy, losing sleep, or planning life around flare-ups, it is reasonable to ASK AGAIN.