Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is the medical term for hives that include:
- No known cause
- May it last a long time
Chronic = Lasts more than 6 weeks
Spontaneity = no obvious cause or trigger
Hives = red, itchy, raised welts or spots on the skin (hives).
What Causes CSU?
When the immune system detects a threat, it releases histamine and other inflammatory chemicals.
Histamine dilates blood vessels, which can cause skin swelling, itching, and redness.
What causes hives?
Common triggers for hives usually include:
- allergy
- Bacterial infections, including UTIs and strep
- Viral infections, including colds and mono
- Certain medicines, including antibiotics and ibuprofen
- extremely hot or cold temperatures
Unlike other types of hives, CSU typically has no identifiable trigger and its cause is unknown. However, it is often associated with type 2 inflammation.
Type 2 inflammation = an excessive immune response that can lead to an inflammatory condition.
CSU treatment
- Antihistamines are used first
- Biologics (monoclonal antibodies that target the immune system) if symptoms remain uncontrolled
Help with CSU
If hives last longer than 6 weeks or keep coming back, contact your doctor, dermatologist, or allergist.
This training material was created with support from Regeneron and Sanofi.
