Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsOutbreaksTreatmentDoes It Go Away?Frequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Outbreaks
Treatment
Does It Go Away?
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronic idiopathicurticaria(CIU) is a term used to describe a version of a skin condition commonly known as hives.These are itchy bumps that appear on the skin.
This article provides an overview of CIU, including the causes, symptoms, treatments, and how long it takes for it to go away.
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Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Causes
Possible causes or triggers of CIU include:
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Symptoms
Since CIU is a version of hives, the symptoms are similar to acute hives (short-term). The biggest difference is that the symptoms last longer.These symptoms, such as red, itchy bumps on the skin, may go away and come back. They must be present for at least six weeks, and at least twice per week, to be considered chronic.
CIU SumptomsItchingBumpson the skinRednesson the skinSwellingPain
CIU Sumptoms
ItchingBumpson the skinRednesson the skinSwellingPain
Outbreaks: What to Expect
CIU outbreaks are different for everyone. Red, itchy bumps, along with other symptoms, can appear with no warning or known cause.The symptoms can last weeks or months, and they can come and go without any clear pattern as to what could make them come and go.
Along with the red, itchy bumps, some people may experience something calledangioedema.This is when there is swelling under the skin. It may be painful and itchy at the same time or just one or the other.
AngioedemaAngioedemacan come along with CIU and is swelling under the skin. This can cause pain in addition to itchy hives.
Angioedema
Angioedemacan come along with CIU and is swelling under the skin. This can cause pain in addition to itchy hives.
CIU can be treated with behavioral practices (that relieve the symptoms or prevent possible causes), medications, or a combination of the two.
The Best Options for Hives Treatment
Behavioral practices to relieve symptoms and prevent possible causes of CIU include:
Medications that may be used to treat CIU include:
Does Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria Ever Go Away?
CIU does go away, but the symptoms may come and go for months or years.The medications used to treat this condition do not cure it. Instead, they decrease the reaction and relieve the symptoms until they go away.Sometimes people with CIU are able to find the cause and prevent future outbreaks.
Summary
There is no way to know how long it will last. It does eventually go away, but the symptoms can come and go for months or years. Treatment helps to provide relief. Anyone experiencing CIU should contact a healthcare professional for support.
A Word From Verywell
Suspecting or being diagnosed with hives can be uncomfortable and challenging, especially when the symptoms are long-term and there are no known causes. If you or someone you know is experiencing CIU, help is available. It is possible to receive treatment and recover. Reach out to a healthcare professional such as a primary care provider for support.
Frequently Asked QuestionsChronic idiopathic urticaria, also called CIU or long-term hives, usually goes away eventually, but there are no treatments currently available that will make the condition go away. However, there are things people with CIU can do to decrease the symptoms, including taking medications and making lifestyle changes.Idiopathic means that the cause of the hives is not known. However, stress is one possible cause of hives. Additionally, stress can make CIU worse, and people who are stressed are more likely to get hives.Chronic means that the condition is long-term. In the case of CIU, the hives last at least six weeks, but they can last much longer, even years. The time it takes for the hives to go away varies, and there is no way to know for sure how long it will take.
Chronic idiopathic urticaria, also called CIU or long-term hives, usually goes away eventually, but there are no treatments currently available that will make the condition go away. However, there are things people with CIU can do to decrease the symptoms, including taking medications and making lifestyle changes.
Idiopathic means that the cause of the hives is not known. However, stress is one possible cause of hives. Additionally, stress can make CIU worse, and people who are stressed are more likely to get hives.
Chronic means that the condition is long-term. In the case of CIU, the hives last at least six weeks, but they can last much longer, even years. The time it takes for the hives to go away varies, and there is no way to know for sure how long it will take.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.Hives.Bracken SJ, Abraham S, MacLeod AS.Autoimmune theories of chronic spontaneous urticaria.Front Immunol. 2019;0. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00627National Institutes of Health.Idiopathic.Kaplan AP.Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria.Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research. 2012;4(6):326-331. doi:10.4168/aair.2012.4.6.326Sachdeva S, Gupta V, Amin SS, Tahseen M.Chronic urticaria.Indian J Dermatol. 2011;56(6):622-628. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.91817Sachdeva S, Gupta V, Amin SS, Tahseen M.Chronic urticaria.Indian J Dermatol. 2011;56(6):622-628. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.91817American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Hives that won’t go away: The basics of CIU.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.Hives.Bracken SJ, Abraham S, MacLeod AS.Autoimmune theories of chronic spontaneous urticaria.Front Immunol. 2019;0. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00627National Institutes of Health.Idiopathic.Kaplan AP.Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria.Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research. 2012;4(6):326-331. doi:10.4168/aair.2012.4.6.326Sachdeva S, Gupta V, Amin SS, Tahseen M.Chronic urticaria.Indian J Dermatol. 2011;56(6):622-628. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.91817Sachdeva S, Gupta V, Amin SS, Tahseen M.Chronic urticaria.Indian J Dermatol. 2011;56(6):622-628. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.91817American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Hives that won’t go away: The basics of CIU.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.Hives.Bracken SJ, Abraham S, MacLeod AS.Autoimmune theories of chronic spontaneous urticaria.Front Immunol. 2019;0. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00627National Institutes of Health.Idiopathic.Kaplan AP.Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria.Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research. 2012;4(6):326-331. doi:10.4168/aair.2012.4.6.326Sachdeva S, Gupta V, Amin SS, Tahseen M.Chronic urticaria.Indian J Dermatol. 2011;56(6):622-628. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.91817Sachdeva S, Gupta V, Amin SS, Tahseen M.Chronic urticaria.Indian J Dermatol. 2011;56(6):622-628. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.91817American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Hives that won’t go away: The basics of CIU.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Urticaria.
American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology.Hives.
Bracken SJ, Abraham S, MacLeod AS.Autoimmune theories of chronic spontaneous urticaria.Front Immunol. 2019;0. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00627
National Institutes of Health.Idiopathic.
Kaplan AP.Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria.Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research. 2012;4(6):326-331. doi:10.4168/aair.2012.4.6.326
Sachdeva S, Gupta V, Amin SS, Tahseen M.Chronic urticaria.Indian J Dermatol. 2011;56(6):622-628. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.91817
American Academy of Dermatology Association.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.AFP. 2017;95(11):717-724.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Hives that won’t go away: The basics of CIU.
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