Chronic Urticaria
Allergy & Immunology & Integrative Immunity located in Edina, MN, Sioux Falls, SD and Bismarck, ND
Chronic Urticaria services offered in Edina, MN, Sioux Falls, SD and Bismarck, ND
Hives that last more than six weeks indicate that you have chronic urticaria. Allergy and immunology specialist Benoit Tano, MD, can get you the relief you seek from chronic urticaria at Integrative Immunity Health System, PC, in Edina, Minnesota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Bismarck, North Dakota. Call the office nearest you or schedule your chronic urticaria consultation online today.
What is chronic urticaria?
Chronic urticaria, also called chronic hives, causes itchy red welts that last six or more weeks. Many people with this skin condition suffer from welts that show up every day for more than a year.
Chronic urticaria appears to have two phases:
Acute hives
Acute hives are skin welts that fade within 24 hours but come back, lasting about six weeks.
Chronic hives
With chronic hives, you suffer this uncomfortable reaction at least twice a week for six or more weeks. This phase of chronic urticaria can last months or years.
What causes chronic urticaria?
In most cases, the cause of chronic urticaria isn’t known: this is called idiopathic chronic urticaria. However, the skin welts are most often caused by a drug or food allergy and usually from something you consume every day.
You can also develop chronic urticaria from body temperature changes or wearing tight-fitted clothes.
One in every five people with chronic urticaria also has an autoimmune disease. These diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. Examples of autoimmune diseases associated with chronic urticaria include Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
What are the symptoms of chronic urticaria?
Red or skin-colored welts that appear anywhere on the body are the most common symptom of chronic urticaria. These welts vary in size and can come and go as the disease runs its course.
The hives that occur with chronic urticaria also cause intense itching. You might also have swelling of the lips, eyelids, or throat.
With chronic urticaria, symptoms continue for six or more weeks, recurring frequently.
How is chronic urticaria treated?
While there’s no cure for chronic urticaria, Dr. Tano at Integrative Immunity Health System, PC, can create a plan to ease your symptoms. The specifics of your plan depend on your symptoms and medical history.
Among the available treatments for chronic urticaria are:
- Antihistamines
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Antidepressants
- Asthma medication
- Monoclonal (man-made) antibodies
- Immune suppressing drugs
Chronic urticaria isn’t necessarily a severe health problem, but it might be a symptom of something else. Dr. Tano can help find the root cause of your chronic skin condition to prevent a recurrence.
Call the nearest Integrative Immunity Health System, PC, office, or schedule an appointment online today for help with your chronic urticaria.