More than skin deep

Chronic spontaneous urticaria - more than skin deep

Centre of attention

Though it is often nice to be the centre of attention, for people living with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), attracting unwanted attention can be something they would rather avoid. The sudden appearance of itchy, red hives can lead to people staring and result in unpleasant questions or reactions. This can leave people with CSU feeling self-conscious, increasingly stressed and sometimes even angry.¹ Sometimes, people with CSU simply end up avoiding people they do not know.^{1, 2}

It can be tough at times

It is no secret that living with CSU can be tough. Research shows that 75% of people with CSU feel self-conscious or embarrassed while over 90% have their sleep disrupted1 leading to tiredness and fatigue.
Being uncomfortable in your own skin like this can make it harder to get on with your day-to-day life.²

A day off from work, a social event skipped or even a long awaited holiday cancelled, the unpredictable nature of CSU means it can strike at the moment you least want it to, making it very hard to plan your life.

With this disruption to daily life, it may not surprise you that nearly a third of people with CSU suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point, while a reasonable number even go through a struggle with depression.³

Taking control

It may seem difficult, but you can work on being more comfortable in your skin. Consider the tips below that might help you better manage your life with CSU and build your confidence.

Most importantly, do not forget to try to stay positive. It can help you avoid negative thoughts and it can be amazing how others around you respond differently when you are positive. One way to do this is to take the time to do the things that you love, and remind yourself of the things in life that make you happy. A positive attitude can go a long way to helping you keep control of your daily life, but if you are struggling with your symptoms, it is important to also speak to your doctor – they will be able to help you.

Time for a change

Next month sees the world’s first International Urticaria Day. Organised by Unev, the Urticaria Network e.V, this is a great opportunity for all of us to come together to raise awareness of CSU and the impact it has on people’s lives. Through sharing your CSU experiences on urticariaday.org, we can educate and inspire others – and hopefully change people’s perceptions of this condition. However, the first step, as always, starts with you. So next time the opportunity arises to go out with friends, or to give that presentation at work, have the confidence to say yes!