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Skin Urticaria Diagnosis
Diagnosing Urticaria
Diagnosing Urticaria

Diagnosis

To diagnose CU, a healthcare professional will take a careful, detailed history and examine your skin.

One of the telling features of chronic urticaria is that the welts come and go at random, with each spot usually lasting less than 24 hours. You may be asked to keep a diary to monitor:1,2

  • Daily activities
  • Medications, herbal remedies, or supplements taken
  • Diet and fluid intake
  • Location, duration, and any residual marks from welts
  • Presence of painful swelling with the welts

Blood tests may be required to help identify the underlying cause. A clear diagnosis is essential for guiding appropriate treatment1. In some cases, a skin biopsy—where a small tissue sample is removed for laboratory analysis—may be recommended to assist in diagnosis.

Getting the most out of your consultation

  • Keep an account of your symptoms, e.g. when they started, how long they last, does anything improve or worsen your symptoms?
  • Take pictures of your rash/swelling and keep a symptoms diary for two to four weeks
  • Tell your healthcare professional about any medication you are currently taking, including supplements or over the counter medications

References

  1. Chronic hives - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.org. 2018. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-hives/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352723. Last accessed April 2025.
  2. Chronic inducible urticaria. DermNet®. 2023. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/chronic-inducible-urticaria. Last accessed April 2025.