What is the current medical approach to managing chronic hives?

The current approach prioritizes long-term disease control and symptom management, similar to how asthma is treated, rather than solely focusing on identifying and avoiding triggers.

What advanced treatment options are available for chronic urticaria?

Advanced treatments include targeted therapies like biologic agents that address specific immune pathways to control disease activity and improve quality of life.

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Chronic Hives: Immune Disorder, Not Allergy

Q: How is chronic urticaria understood differently now?

Chronic urticaria, including chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), is now recognized as a long-term immune-mediated disorder, shifting the focus from allergy management to sustained disease control.

11 Feb

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Summary

Chronic hives are now seen as immune-mediated, not just allergies.
Focus shifts from trigger hunting to long-term disease management.
Advanced treatments target immune pathways for symptom control.

Chronic Hives: Immune Disorder, Not Allergy

Chronic urticaria, commonly known as chronic hives, is now recognized as a long-term immune-mediated disorder, marking a significant shift from its previous understanding as an allergy. This change in perspective emphasizes sustained treatment and monitoring over the exclusive identification and avoidance of triggers. Doctors now approach chronic hives, particularly chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), similarly to managing other chronic inflammatory conditions like asthma.

While initial evaluations still include a basic medical history and tests to rule out other issues, specialists caution against excessive investigations that can delay effective treatment and increase patient anxiety. The focus is now on symptom control and enhancing the quality of life for those affected by this condition.