How are hives (urticaria) treated?

Hives should be treated until the symptoms are no longer present.¹

If the hives are short-lived (acute) then they are likely to go away without any treatment.¹ With chronic hives, however, when people can suffer for weeks, months or years, treatment is required.

In most cases of chronic hives, there is no known trigger and it is impossible to know when the hives or swelling will appear. There are medications, though, that can help to prevent and relieve the itch, redness and swelling.¹

Antihistamines are the most commonly used medications for the treatment of hives. They work by neutralising chemicals called histamines, which are released from mast cells after they have been activated by the immune system in response to a perceived threat (a trigger).

The goal of treatment for CSU is complete and permanent symptom relief until the disease resolves on its own.² After diagnosis, your doctor will work with you to find a medication that suits your needs. CSU affects everyone differently, so there's no single treatment plan that will work for everybody; it may take more than one conversation to adjust your plan or find the most effective option for you.

Several new types of CSU treatments are currently being investigated. These medicines target the immune system in different ways, aiming to stop the processes in the body that cause symptoms. These drugs are still in development or are not yet approved for use in all countries. Your doctor may be able to provide information about ongoing research or clinical trials and their general relevance.

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