What is Urticaria
Symptoms of Urticaria include:
- Batches of welts (wheals) that can arise anywhere on the body
- Welts that might be red, purple or skin-coloured, depending on your skin colour
- Welts that vary in size, change shape and appear and fade repeatedly
- Itchiness (pruritus), which can be intense
- Painful swelling (angioedema) around the eyes, cheeks or lips
- Flares triggered by heat, exercise or stress
- Symptoms that persist for more than six weeks and recur often and anytime, sometimes for months or years
When to see a doctor:
See your healthcare provider if you have severe hives or hives that last for more than a few days.
Useful tools
Urticaria is more than a skin issue; it comes with various comorbidities. Recognizing and addressing these additional health challenges is crucial for a holistic approach to understanding and managing the challenges individuals with this condition face. Read more about different types of urticaria here.
GAAPP Member Organization Directory
Would you like to find an organization near you that supports those with urticaria or other chronic conditions? Search the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform’s directory of more than 200 organizations.
Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Capacity Building
These capacity-building sessions were developed to provide all the patient advocacy groups working in urticaria with the education, information, and tools that they deemed necessary to increase their capacity and grow their organizations. Three sessions were developed for the health care system, patient organization foundation, and social media. These resources are now available for everyone in several languages.
The GAAPP Chronic Urticaria Shared Decision-Making Tool
An online resource to help you in your chronic urticaria journey. At GAAPP, we believe that all people with chronic urticaria should actively share in decisions regarding their treatment and how their condition is managed. We therefore created this online tool to help you document your symptoms, their impact, and what you value in the treatment and management of your condition. After completing the online tool, you can email a copy of your report to yourself for discussion with your doctor.
Chronic Urticaria Educational Flyers (11 languages)
This one-page guide provides a clear and concise overview of chronic urticaria (CU), also known as chronic hives, a condition characterized by recurring, itchy welts lasting more than six weeks. It explains the difference between CU and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), outlines common symptoms and potential triggers (both internal and external), and highlights related autoimmune conditions. The document offers diagnostic tips, treatment options, and practical self-care strategies to help individuals manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Chronic Urticaria Patient Charter Summary (25 languages!)
This one-page summary outlines five key principles from the Patient Charter for Chronic Urticaria, created by patients, advocates, healthcare providers, and experts. It emphasizes the rights of people living with CU to receive a timely and accurate diagnosis, access innovative and effective treatments, receive holistic care that includes mental health, avoid unnecessary side effects, and consult specialists when needed. The charter encourages patients to take an active role in their care and seek support throughout their journey.
My CU Visit Card and Flyer
My CU Visit Card and Flyer: A compact self-report form designed to help you get the most out of your next doctor’s appointment.
How Well Do People Understand Urticaria?
Take our quick public awareness survey and help us explore how people perceive urticaria and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The results will help identify gaps in awareness and support future education and advocacy efforts.
Useful tools
Urticaria is more than a skin issue; it comes with various comorbidities. Recognizing and addressing these additional health challenges is crucial for a holistic approach to understanding and managing the challenges individuals with this condition face. Read more about different types of urticaria here.
GAAPP Member Organization Directory
Would you like to find an organization near you that supports those with urticaria or other chronic conditions? Search the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform’s directory of more than 200 organizations.
Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Capacity Building
These capacity-building sessions were developed to provide all the patient advocacy groups working in urticaria with the education, information, and tools that they deemed necessary to increase their capacity and grow their organizations. Three sessions were developed for the health care system, patient organization foundation, and social media. These resources are now available for everyone in several languages.
The GAAPP Chronic Urticaria Shared Decision-Making Tool
TAn online resource to help you in your chronic urticaria journey. At GAAPP, we believe that all people with chronic urticaria should actively share in decisions regarding their treatment and how their condition is managed. We therefore created this online tool to help you document your symptoms, their impact, and what you value in the treatment and management of your condition. After completing the online tool, you can email a copy of your report to yourself for discussion with your doctor.
Chronic Urticaria Educational Flyers (11 languages)
This one-page guide provides a clear and concise overview of chronic urticaria (CU), also known as chronic hives, a condition characterized by recurring, itchy welts lasting more than six weeks. It explains the difference between CU and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), outlines common symptoms and potential triggers (both internal and external), and highlights related autoimmune conditions. The document offers diagnostic tips, treatment options, and practical self-care strategies to help individuals manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Chronic Urticaria Patient Charter Summary (25 languages!)
This one-page summary outlines five key principles from the Patient Charter for Chronic Urticaria, created by patients, advocates, healthcare providers, and experts. It emphasizes the rights of people living with CU to receive a timely and accurate diagnosis, access innovative and effective treatments, receive holistic care that includes mental health, avoid unnecessary side effects, and consult specialists when needed. The charter encourages patients to take an active role in their care and seek support throughout their journey.
Chronic Urticaria Educational Flyers (9 languages).
This one-page guide provides a clear and concise overview of chronic urticaria (CU), also known as chronic hives, a condition characterized by recurring, itchy welts lasting more than six weeks. It explains the difference between CU and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), outlines common symptoms and potential triggers (both internal and external), and highlights related autoimmune conditions. The document offers diagnostic tips, treatment options, and practical self-care strategies to help individuals manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Chronic Urticaria Patient Charter Summary (12 languages and growing!)
This one-page summary outlines five key principles from the Patient Charter for Chronic Urticaria, created by patients, advocates, healthcare providers, and experts. It emphasizes the rights of people living with CU to receive a timely and accurate diagnosis, access innovative and effective treatments, receive holistic care that includes mental health, avoid unnecessary side effects, and consult specialists when needed. The charter encourages patients to take an active role in their care and seek support throughout their journey.
CRUSE® App
Urticaria Expert Videos
Patient Stories
2024
Elena, Italy
Maria, Peru
Maryvic, Philippines
Mustafina Mereke, Kazakhstan
Natasha, Canada
Fanny, Ecuador
Kathrin, Germany
2023
2022
Zenobia, South Africa
Chandra, India
Margarida, Portugal
All Things Urticaria Podcast
The All Things Urticaria podcast was launched in 2020 as a collaboration between Medthority and Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network. The host, Prof. Marcus Maurer, Professor of Dermatology and Allergy at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is joined by his friends and colleagues to discuss research, studies, education, and to promote awareness of urticaria. Please find below a list of episodes that are of particular interest to patients or the general public.
UDAY & New Guidelines: Empowering Patients Worldwide
In this 2025 podcast episode, Prof. Torsten Zuberbier, President of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, speaks with Prof. Petra Staubach, urticaria expert from Germany, about why Urticaria Day (UDAY) matters, the burden faced by patients, and what the 2025 treatment guidelines bring. From new therapies to stronger advocacy, they highlight why urticaria is a serious disease that deserves global awareness. 2026 podcast is coming soon.
How should I treat patients who experience a slow or partial response?
Urticaria and Daily Life
Patient Organisations
Here you can find all the patient organisations that we support and support us.
Overview of Clinical Trials Worldwide
A searchable database for urticaria clinical trials near you