Video/Image
Voiceover/Audio
GRAPHIC: A group of diverse people touching their arms or legs, which have some hives on them. Add a soft glow to highlight areas that are affected by hives.
SUPER: These words come up to match the timing of the VO:
Chronic = lasts more than 6 weeks
Spontaneous = has no obvious reason
Urticaria = hives
Hives are a common skin condition that affect 1 in 5 people at some point in their lives.
But when these itchy, red bumps last more than 6 weeks and have no obvious cause, they’re known as chronic spontaneous urticaria or CSU.
GRAPHIC: A woman looking at the hives on her arm as a calendar jumps forward to show it’s been longer than 6 weeks
It can be uncomfortable, frustrating and even painful when these flare-ups keep happening. But there are some things you can do at home to make yourself more comfortable.
GRAPHIC: A woman applying cream on her arm and a look of relief on her face, she also applies lotion
GRAPHIC: A woman turning her shower temperature to cold and hopping in, you see her get out and wrap herself in a towel with a smile on her face. Then she turns up her air conditioning.
Applying an over-the-counter anti-itch cream can help you feel less itchy. Follow that with fragrance-free lotion to keep your skin moisturized and prevent dryness.
You can also soothe irritation by staying cool. Try placing a cold compress on your hives throughout the day, running your air conditioner, or taking a cool shower or bath. Avoid these steps, though, if colder temperatures trigger your hives.
GRAPHIC: The woman is journaling. Her paper says “Monday: After eating spaghetti”
GRAPHIC: Shows pages of the journal flip that reveal a few things written down on them. Stop at: “Friday: After a strenuous workout.”
Speaking of triggers, paying attention to what may be causing your hives and avoiding those things can help to ease symptoms.
In most people with CSU, there are no known triggers and the cause is never identified. But it’s still a good idea to try keeping a journal of when you get hives. This may be able to help you notice patterns like “I get hives within an hour of eating certain foods, when I feel stressed, or from heat.”
If you do find patterns, that can help you take precautions to limit future outbreaks.
GRAPHIC: The woman is getting dressed in front of the mirror and puts on loose fitting pajamas and then climbs into bed and curls up in soft sheets to relax. Soft lighting to convey comfort.
Paying attention to your clothing and bedding can help, too. Wear loose-fitting, cotton attire and sleep on soft sheets to prevent irritation from friction and pressure.
GRAPHIC: The woman is opening a cabinet and pulls out her detergent and is reading the label
SUPER: Fragrance-Free/Dye-Free
It’s also important to check your detergents, soaps and deodorants to make sure you’re using products without scents or dyes.
GRAPHIC: A woman looking stressed and then she sits down to close her eyes to meditate and feels much better
And remember, stress can trigger hives, and it’s easy to feel anxious when an outbreak happens. Taking some time to relax, whether that’s engaging in 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 hive-free and waving and smiling. One of them is holding a sign that says, “Bye, bye, itch!”
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 control your CSU.
For more information, please visit HealthyWomen.org/CSU
