English
Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) is like your least favorite aunt. It seems that you are staying longer than you would have liked without notice.
These itchy red welts have no obvious cause and last 6 weeks or longer. And the effects of this persistent itching caused by CSU don’t just affect the skin. Living with CSU can impact your mental health, as well as your work and personal life.
Symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria
The CSU cannot be predicted. Unlike hives, which occur when you’re exposed to something you’re sensitive or allergic to, CSU hives appear and disappear in seemingly random ways. And they can manifest themselves over a long period of time. This means you may have a “good” week with no or few hives and plan to go out. Suddenly you get hives that make you feel very bad. Or they could manifest just before an important presentation at work or a long-awaited (and necessary) vacation. This unpredictability can lead to uncertainty when planning and can be frustrating if you have to cancel it. It can also affect your relationships if people around you don’t understand how difficult it can be to have recurring hives like this.
Here are four ways CSU could impact your life.
Increased anxiety and depression
Researchers have found that people with CSU are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, and up to six times more likely, than people without the disorder. If left untreated, depression can lead to physical problems such as heart disease and stroke. Anxiety and depression can also affect your ability to seek medical care, follow treatment plans, go to work or school, and care for yourself and your family.
One form of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is helpful for many people with anxiety and depression. The goal of this type of therapy is to identify coping strategies and help you control your thoughts and feelings. Talk to your doctor about support if you are experiencing anxiety or depression. There are also groups that can offer support, such as WeCU and Allergy & Asthma Network.
sleep deprivation
We know that pain can affect our sleep, but many people don’t understand what annoying itching is and therefore may not understand how tired and exhausted you are. More than half of people with CSU cannot sleep properly. This, in turn, can worsen depression and anxiety, as well as other mental health problems. Lack of sleep can also increase the risk of accidents, injuries and long-term medical problems such as heart disease and some cancers.
If CSU is affecting your sleep, it’s important to talk to your doctor about it. If you are taking second-generation antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness, your doctor may recommend that you take another antihistamine that does cause drowsiness at night. There may also be other useful pharmaceutical options.
Working on methods to relax the mind and body could be helpful. There are many self-help options that can help people sleep, but working with a therapist might be the best place to start, especially someone who works with people suffering from CSU or similar medical issues.
Less enjoyment of social and professional life
There are several reasons why UCE could have a significant impact on your social, professional or academic life.
Adults with CSU miss more days of work than people with other allergic diseases and perform worse at work. According to one study, work productivity decreased by about 12% in people with mild CSU and by 44% in people with severe CSU. The same thing happens with children with CSU. They perform worse academically than their peers who do not have long-term hives.
Daily tasks and intimacy can also be affected. It is not uncommon for some people with CSU to have problems with self-care, family life, and household chores. Sexual activities and intimate relationships can also become difficult. Maintaining a relationship can be difficult if you are insecure about the appearance of your skin, if you constantly itch, if you feel tired, and if your mental health is compromised.
Hobbies and just having fun are usually a good way to relax and recharge. But if you live with the CSU, you might not even think about it.
It can be difficult to find clothes that feel comfortable. Tight clothing causes friction on the skin, and some clothing is made from irritating materials such as wool or has seams or fabrics that may be uncomfortable when in contact with skin. If you have a specific style that you like to wear, it can be discouraging to have to choose loose-fitting clothing made from different materials that doesn’t match what you want to wear. If you have to wear a uniform to work or school, this can be an even bigger problem and you may need to get special permission when it comes to style or material.
Increased risk of infection
While this isn’t common, if you frequently scratch your welts and break your skin, you can develop an infection that can become serious if left untreated. If you injure your skin, be sure to clean the area, apply antibiotic ointments, and cover the injury to protect it. Go to your doctor’s office if you notice redness or swelling, or if you see discharge or pus from the area.
Control the CSU
CSU is more than “just beehives”. It has a significant impact on your life. Discuss your situation with your doctor to make sure you find the right medication to treat your hives, and get support from the people around you and from groups and communities that understand CSU. This can make all the difference in helping you enjoy your life as much as possible with this chronic illness.
This educational resource was created with support from Regeneron and Sanofi.
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