Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is the medical term for hives that include:
- There is no known cause.
- they last a long time
Chronic = Lasts more than 6 weeks
Spontaneity = no apparent cause or trigger
Hives = red, swollen, itchy skin sores (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 inflammation, itching, and redness of the skin.
What causes hives?
Common triggers for hives usually include:
- allergy
- Bacterial infections, including UTIs and strep
- Viral infections, including colds and mononucleosis
- Certain medications, including antibiotics and ibuprofen
- very hot or cold temperatures
Unlike other types of hives, CSU typically has no identifiable trigger and the cause is unknown, but is often associated with type 2 inflammation.
Type 2 inflammation = an excessive immune response that can cause inflammatory disorders.
CSU treatment
- Use antihistamines first.
- Biologics (monoclonal antibodies that specifically target the immune system) if symptoms still cannot be controlled
Help with UCE
If your hives last longer than 6 weeks or keep coming back, contact your doctor, dermatologist, or allergist.
This training material was prepared with support from Regeneron and Sanofi.
