Living with Urticaria

Despite Urticaria being fairly common in the general population, this is a long-lasting condition that can impact your daily life, including how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally.

But you are not alone. There are supportive communities and organisations that are there to help you manage it.

Finding support

There are several organisations and groups working to raise awareness, offer support, and connect people living with Urticaria. These organisations include:

Allergy UK: the Allergy UK website offers information and resources about CU as well as pointing out opportunities to get involved and campaign to raise awareness.
Chronic Urticaria Support Group: Individuals can join this Facebook group, a worldwide community providing a platform for discussion and mutual support.
Help for Hives: The Help for Hives website offers resources and support for people living with urticaria and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

There may also be local events that center around Urticaria Day (1^st October), a global initiative is an opportunity for those with chronic urticaria and their loved ones to connect with others both online and in person.

Helping others understand my Urticaria

Living with CU can be difficult, uncomfortable, and painful, but there are ways to cope.

Tips to help reduce symptoms include:

Soothe the skin

Try applying an ice pack or taking a cool bath. Applying cream-based emollients or bath products with antipruritic (anti-itch) ingredients such as lauromacrogols or menthol in aqueous can help reduce itch.¹ Some patients find refrigerating any creams or lotions can help enhance the soothing effect.

Wearing loose, light clothing

This can help reduce itch and increase comfort. Generally, trying to avoid scratching as this will release more itch chemicals from the skin (histamine), in darker skin tones this can lead to changes in skin pigmentation.¹

Avoiding aggravating factors where possible

Minimising stress, alcohol intake and extremes of temperature. As mentioned in other sections, avoiding certain medications, such as NSAIDs, opiates, e.g. codeine and ACE inhibitors (but if you are on these, discuss this with your doctor before stopping them). In a small proportion of individuals, avoiding these may help reduce symptoms.¹

Work and Study

Working with CU can be embarrassing, especially if the wheals are visible, and they can also be distracting if they are causing pain or itching. Both of these can result in a loss of productivity. If you have CU and know that there are triggers present in your workplace, you can reasonably ask for accommodations. For example, if the sun is a trigger, it is perfectly reasonable to ask for a desk away from the window.

Speaking up about your experiences and asking for help and accommodations can improve your quality of life.

Photograph of person sat in front of a laptop with their head in their hands.

Mental health

Living with a chronic condition can be draining and affect your emotional and mental health.

Receiving a diagnosis might bring up different emotions, or you might feel upset or exhausted at the amount of work it takes to manage your CU. It is important to remember it's normal to experience a wide range of emotions, and there is no right or wrong way to cope with your condition.

Making space for your mental wellbeing is as important as managing your physical symptoms. You may find it helpful to:

Practice mindfulness techniques
Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling
Reach out to support groups
Contact mental health professionals

Helping others understand my Urticaria

If you have been struggling with the symptoms of your Urticaria for a while, getting a diagnosis can bring up a range of emotions. Sharing what you are going through can help your loved ones understand and support you.

The emotional support from trusted friends, family, and loved ones can greatly impact how you handle things. Keep your friends and family informed about your condition and treatment plans.

It's good to let the people around you know what you are going through, they will want to support you along the way.

References

Urticaria: Does it rule your life? Allergy UK | National Charity. Available from: https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/chronic-spontaneous-urticaria-csu-does-it-rule-your-life/. Last accessed April 2025.