Once she turned the water off, an intense itching crept all over her back.
To get relief, she applied over-the-counter (OTC) anti-itch cream.
But 15 minutes later, the pesky itch returned.
She was actually dealing with her first bout of chronic hivesalso known aschronic spontaneous urticaria(CSU).
Unlike other allergic reactions, thecause of CSUis largely unknown.
[CSU] is not triggered by something particular that you are exposed to, says Dr. Gupta.
board-certified allergist and immunologist for Get Cleared
This can make CSU pretty difficult to diagnose and, on top of that, seem decently rare.
(FYI, thats becauseautoimmune disordersusually dont have a clear cause.)
For Hawkins, getting a CSU diagnosis was tough because healthcare providers dismissed her condition for years.
In the meantime, Hawkins did all she could to heal at home.
This is how she first learned about CSU.
Still, Hawkins wasnt sure her condition was the same thing.
My hives didnt look like thatthey were raised and slightly reddish, Hawkins says.
I couldnt find any examples of people with my skin tone going through this.
I felt so dismissed and disappointed, Hawkins says.
board-certified allergist and immunologist for Get Cleared
She was devastated at being brushed off and discouraged by the lack of solutions.
While this helps, living with the condition is still tough.
My anxiety is high every day.
This is a common experience for people with CSU.
Itching can also make it difficult to sleep, which causes irritability and poor concentration, she adds.
Unsurprisingly, this can lead to work challenges and relationship issues.
Physically, its pretty clear when Hawkins is having a flare.
Eventually, it turns into an ongoing, moving itch that I cant scratch.
The itch is so intense that shes unable to rest or focus on anything else.
Uninformed healthcare providers
CSU is often misdiagnosedbecause hives are typically associated with some kind of allergy attack.
While this is life-saving for folks having a true allergic reaction, its ineffective at treating CSU.
False positive allergy tests
Additionally, people with recurring hives are often given allergy tests.
(For context, about50 to 60 percent of allergy testsresult in false positives.)
This happened to Hawkins, whoeliminated dairyfrom her diet for one year, thinking her hives were connected.
Varying skin tones
Another factor that makes diagnosis challenging?
Before making an appointment, call the office and ask if the doctor has experience treating urticarial conditions.
(Urticarial is just a fancy way of explaining a condition that is related to hives.)
Because theres no official diagnostic test, Dr. Gupta says to take pictures to show your doctor.
), a medication, or a certain punch in of food.
This is just one theory.
The appropriate treatment plan will look different for each person, Dr. Gupta says.
Heres a closer look at some of those options.
In such cases, your healthcare provider might recommend an injectable antihistamine.
While its typically prescribed for asthma and food allergies, it has beenshown to help CSU symptoms, too.
There are other oral and injectable options available as well, Dr. Gupta says.
Thankfully,new and emerging therapiesare in the pipeline.
CSU, in turn, increases anxiety, resulting in a vicious cycle.
Hawkins has also found calming her nervous system is essential.Breathworkand adult coloring books help her stay grounded.
She also prioritizes getting agood nights sleepto reduce stress.
For instance, temperature control is key for soothing itch.
Chronic hives might be aggravated by heat, Dr. Gupta says.
Taking a cool bath or shower can help soothe your skin.
Keep your bedroom temperature cool while sleeping, and use fans when you’re free to.
have a go at wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing, too.
Material thats tight, itchy, or abrasive might irritate your skin, Dr. Gupta adds.
She also uses organic makeup and personal care products to avoid further irritating her skin.
I feel confident and live to the fullest.
…
Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.
