Video/Image
Voiceover/Audio
GRAPHIC: A group of diverse people touching their arms or legs that have beehives on them. Add a soft shimmer to highlight areas affected by hives.
SUPER: These words match the timing of the VO:
Chronic = lasts longer than 6 weeks
Spontaneous = has no obvious reason
Urticaria = hives
Hives is a common skin condition that affects one in five people at some point in their life.
However, when these itchy, red bumps last longer than six weeks and have no obvious cause, they are called chronic spontaneous urticaria, or CSU.
GRAPHIC: A woman looks at the hives on her arm as a calendar flashes forward to show that more than six weeks have passed
It can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and even painful if these flare-ups keep recurring. But there are some things you can do at home to make yourself more comfortable.
GRAPHIC: A woman applying cream to her arm with a relieved expression, she is also applying lotion
GRAPHIC: A woman sets the temperature in her shower to cold and jumps in. You see her get out with a smile on her face and wrap herself in a towel. Then she turns on her air conditioning.
Applying an over-the-counter anti-itch cream can help you feel less itching. Follow with a fragrance-free lotion to moisturize your skin and prevent dryness.
You can also relieve irritation by staying cool. Apply a cold compress to your hives throughout the day, run the air conditioning, or take a cool shower or bath. However, avoid these steps if colder temperatures trigger your hives.
GRAPHIC: The woman keeps a diary. Her newspaper says: “Monday: After eating spaghetti.”
GRAPHIC: Shows pages of the diary cover, revealing some of the things written therein. Stop at: “Friday: After a strenuous workout.”
Speaking of triggers, pay attention to what might be causing your hives and avoid those things to relieve the symptoms.
For most people with CSU, there are no known triggers and the cause is never identified. Still, it’s a good idea to keep a diary of when you get hives. This may help you recognize patterns such as “I get hives within an hour of eating certain foods, when I’m feeling stressed, or due to heat.”
If you recognize patterns, you can take precautions to contain future outbreaks.
GRAPHIC: The woman gets dressed in front of the mirror, puts on loose-fitting pajamas, then climbs into bed and curls up in soft sheets to relax. Soft light conveys comfort.
It can also be helpful to pay attention to your clothing and bedding. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and sleep on soft sheets to avoid irritation from friction and pressure.
GRAPHIC: The woman opens a cupboard, takes out her detergent and reads the label
SUPER: Without fragrances/dyes
It’s also important to check your detergents, soaps, and deodorants to make sure you’re using products without fragrances or dyes.
GRAPHIC: A woman looks stressed, then sits down, closes her eyes and meditates and feels much better
And remember: Stress can trigger hives, and it’s easy to feel anxious during an outbreak. Taking some time to relax, whether through mindful meditation or a yoga session, can help your body and skin calm down.
GRAPHIC: The same group of people from the beginning of the video are free of beehives, waving and smiling. One of them holds a sign that says “Bye, bye, itch!” in hand.
Chronic hives can be unpredictable, but these steps may be able to help you manage your symptoms during flare-ups—and an allergist can suggest treatments to help you get your CSU under control.
For more information, visit HealthyWomen.org/CSU