Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria or Chronic Hives

Urticaria is the medical name for hives. Hives are itchy, red, raised bumps on the skin that turn white when they are pressed in the center.

Unlike other types of hives, there is no known trigger of CSU. This makes it hard to diagnose and treat. To classify as CSU, the hives must:

• last for six weeks or more
• be spontaneous, meaning that there is no explanation for what is triggering the hives

CSU Symptoms:

• Red, raised circles on the skin, called “wheals”
• Itching
• Hives that may get bigger, change, disappear and reappear or spread
• Hives that turn white, or “blanch,” when they are pressed in the center
• Hives that occur most days of the week and last for at least six weeks

While there are various options for treatment of CSU, more options are needed.