Offering guidance, resources, and a supportive community for those living with chronic urticaria. We see you. Find hope, strength, and a home on your journey with us.
Offering guidance, resources, and a supportive community for those living with chronic urticaria. We see you. Find hope, strength, and a home on your journey with us.
A United States based nonprofit dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of those affected by chronic urticaria.
Welcome to We CU, a U.S-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of those affected by chronic urticaria. Founded in 2024, our aim is to bring together patients, caregivers, health care providers, and advocates to advance awareness, provide education, advocate for policy change, and support research that can lead to better management and treatments. We see you and you have a home here.
Hives are itchy welts that appear on your skin. This could be any part of your body, including your eyes, hands, and legs. Each individual hive typically resolves within 24 hours without leaving a mark, but for some people hives may reappear in a different place entirely, and with greater frequency or intensity. This is where we recommend you begin documenting your hives, including noting where they appear and for how long. It can help to take pictures of your hives to show them to your doctor. Future you will likely thank you for doing this.
Urticaria is the clinical term for hives. They can be either acute, meaning they last less than six weeks, or chronic, which means symptoms last for six weeks or longer. Urticaria is best described as the appearance of itchy welts, or wheals, linked to inflammation in the body. How long your welts last is important when speaking with a health care provider because it will help you and them understand what type of urticaria you have — and whether it is acute or chronic.Â
We CU’s My CU Visit Card and Flyer contain questions designed to help you track and assess your symptoms ahead of a doctor’s appointment.Â
Hives can have many causes, though they are often unknown. Stress, physical triggers like heat, pressure, or cold, as well as autoimmune responses and your body’s reaction to medications, are just a few of the main contributing factors that have been documented. Because there are different types of urticaria, such as chronic spontaneous urticaria and chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU), it is best to speak with a doctor or specialist about your individual triggers. It is also worth noting that once urticaria becomes chronic, meaning symptoms last for six weeks or more, hives are rarely caused by allergies.Â
Scratch, our AI-powered chat tool trained on 175 peer-reviewed articles, is the best resource we have to offer for questions like these. Just click the mast cell in the bottom right corner of our home page to start a conversation.Â
The most recognizable symptom of hives is the hives themselves. They are raised, skin-colored welts that make your skin incredibly itchy. The itching can be so intense that it disrupts your sleep and quality of life. Another common symptom is angioedema, which is deep swelling that typically appears on the face, often around the lips, eyes, or throat. If you are experiencing angioedema alongside your hives, be sure to mention this to your health care provider, as it can help inform your diagnosis and treatment plan. Remember to seek immediate medical attention if swelling affects your tongue or throat or causes difficulty breathing or swallowing.Â
Finding community matters — whether that’s a space to learn, connect with others who understand, or to simply feel less alone. We CU sees that need and is actively working to grow the community. We’d love to keep you informed. Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.Â
The following organizations also serve individuals and their loved ones living with urticaria and collaborate with us on awareness initiatives:Â
Reach out to us at info@livingwithcu.org if you have any questions.Â
The treatment landscape for CU is expanding, and the community has more options now than ever before. Â
Treatment for CU typically works in steps. Many people start with non-sedating antihistamines, and if increased doses of those aren’t enough, additional options such as omalizumab, dupilumab, or remibrutinib may be considered. Â
Other medications may also play a role in treatment. Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant that may be prescribed for people whose symptoms do not respond adequately to antihistamines or biologic therapy. Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, may benefit some individuals, particularly when used alongside antihistamines, although its effectiveness can vary from person to person.Â
Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids as part of your urticaria treatment plan. Â
Short-term use: Steroids may help during acute flare-ups. A short course (up to 10 days) can reduce symptom severity.Â
Long-term use: Long-term use is not recommended. Treatment guidelines strongly advise against long-term steroid use because of serious side effects like weight gain, bone loss, and diabetes.Â
We always recommend speaking with a health care provider first so they can develop the best treatment plan for you. You can also use Scratch, our AI-powered chat tool trained on 175 peer-reviewed articles, to learn more about what options may be available for you or your loved one. You can find it by clicking the mast cell in the bottom right corner of our home page to start a conversation today.Â
Have questions about chronic urticaria (chronic hives)? Meet Scratch, our friendly chatbot! Scratch is here day and night to help you learn, find trusted resources, and feel supported – anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re a patient, family member, or just curious about CU, Scratch can guide you to reliable information, practical tools, and ways to connect with the We CU community.
You can find Scratch in the lower right corner of this page. Just click on the mast cell icon and start chatting today!
This educational resource is supported by Novartis.
Chronic urticaria is a condition marked by persistent and unpredictable symptoms that can deeply affect daily life, often leading to feelings of isolation. At We CU, we are committed to changing this.
To ensure that no one faces chronic urticaria alone.
Providing tools, information, and resources to help patients thrive.
Building a community that empowers individuals, amplifies their voices, and fosters compassion and understanding for all affected by chronic urticaria.
We CU empowers lives through awareness, community support, advocacy, and research for better chronic urticaria outcomes.
We prioritize building understanding about chronic urticaria among the general public, diagnosed individuals, families, health care providers, and decision makers. We create accessible resources to help patients and families understand their condition, explore treatment options, and manage their health effectively.
We believe that no one should face chronic urticaria alone, and our community is here to offer a home for those looking for empathy, understanding, and support.
We work with legislators, health institutions, and other advocacy groups to amplify the voices of those affected and change the landscape for people with chronic urticaria.
We focus on promoting and supporting research efforts that can lead to new insights into chronic urticaria and, ultimately, better treatment options. We create pathways for patient involvement in research and foster collaborations with researchers and health care professionals.
We CU empowers lives through awareness, community support, advocacy, and research for better chronic urticaria outcomes.
We prioritize building understanding about chronic urticaria among the general public, diagnosed individuals, families, health care providers, and decision makers. We create accessible resources to help patients and families understand their condition, explore treatment options, and manage their health effectively.
We believe that no one should face chronic urticaria alone, and our community is here to offer a home for those looking for empathy, understanding, and support.
We work with legislators, health institutions, and other advocacy groups to amplify the voices of those affected and change
We focus on promoting and supporting research efforts that can lead to new insights into chronic urticaria and, ultimately, better treatment options. We create pathways for patient involvement in research and foster collaborations with researchers and health care professionals.
We’re here to answer your questions, hear your feedback, and work together to make a difference.
Join our mailing list to stay updated on how we’re giving a voice to those living with Chronic Urticaria.
