Itching for answers?

A closer look at CSU

Itch is reported by 42% of people to be the worst symptom of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), causing discomfort during the day and disrupted sleep at night.¹ In fact, 92% of people report sleep interference because of itching, which in turn can affect the ability to perform day-to-day activities due to being less rested.¹

This lack of sleep can reduce performance at work, and in instances when a partner’s sleep is also disturbed, can affect personal relationships as well.²

With an impact on so many aspects of your daily life, it is not surprising that people with CSU are often left with questions about the triggers and causes of this constant itching.

Why do we itch?

You may be surprised to hear that one of the culprits causing your itch – histamine – is a chemical that usually acts as part of our body’s defence against infection. Let’s take a closer look at some of the players involved, how hives are formed, and what actually causes your itch.

The hives

• The relaxation of blood vessels caused by the chemicals released from mast cells also means plasma from the blood can leak from blood vessels into the skin, making it swell up and form a hive.⁷
• Hives are red because the relaxed blood vessels mean blood is closer to the surface of the skin.⁷

...and the ITCH

• Histamine, one of the chemicals released from your mast cells, activates nerves in the skin which are normally used to detect changes in its immediate environment, such as heat or touch, and this causes your skin to itch.⁷

Taking action

If you are suffering from itch, it may seem at times that the itch influences all aspects of your life, and is beyond your control. However, because we know the cause of the itch, there are options that have been developed to tackle histamine and reduce the symptoms you are experiencing. To find out more about these options, speak to your doctor. You can also reach out to other people with CSU and join them to share experiences, advice and support through the CSU Facebook Community.

They say that knowledge is power, so we hope this article brings you one step closer to regaining control of your condition.