#148 - How Do You Know Your Chronic Hives Are Under Control?

Chronic hives that come and go without warning are exhausting physically and emotionally. But here is something many patients don't realize: feeling "okay" is not the same as being well controlled.

Kortney and Dr. Gupta are joined by Dr. Tom Chacko, a board-certified allergist and immunologist based in Atlanta, to discuss what good hives control actually looks like and what to do when you are not there yet. From "just living with" your condition to managing a bad flare, tracking your symptoms, and preparing for your follow-up appointment, this episode gives you the tools to stop just coping and start getting better care.

What we cover in our episode about what chronic hives control looks like:

• Chronic spontaneous urticaria. The plain-language definition of CSU, including why hives appear without a clear trigger and what angioedema is.
• The trap of normalizing symptoms. Why patients adjust their lives around hives without realizing it, and how to spot the signs that your condition is not actually controlled.
• How to track your hives. Why symptom tracking helps with diagnosis and better care, and how to use tools like the UAS7 score.
• What to bring to your follow-up appointment. The concrete information your doctor needs to work with you to find the best treatment plan. This includes information about sleep, daily activity, and medication side effects.
• How to ask for more help. What to say when antihistamines are not enough, and what newer treatment options exist for CSU patients today.

More resources about chronic hives

• UAS-7 Urticaria Activity Score worksheet

• Allergy & Asthma Network chronic urticaria resources

• More episodes about hives

***********

Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Novartis for sponsoring today’s episode.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.