PHILADELPHIA — July 18, 2022 — Living with chronic hives can often be impacted by various obstacles throughout the patient journey, including diagnosis, treatment-related condition control and affordability and quality of life, according to a recent survey conducted by Health Union, the leader in social health. The inaugural Chronic Hives In America survey illuminates the perspectives and experiences of people living with chronic hives.
These findings also support and fuel content and engagement for the recent launch of Chronic-Hives.com, Health Union’s 40th condition-specific online health community.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology defines hives as a skin reaction leading to red or skin-colored bumps, caused by an array of triggers, including food, medications, insect stings or bites and exposure to heat or cold. When an individual’s hives occur almost daily for more than six weeks, this is known as chronic hives, or chronic spontaneous urticaria.
Potentially due to a similarity in symptoms and triggers to allergies and a number of skin conditions, diagnosis can often be a journey for people living with chronic hives. More than six in 10 respondents said they had to see at least three healthcare professionals before receiving their chronic hives diagnosis. Chronic-Hives.com patient leader Christy Amos is one of those individuals.
“I ended up seeing three different allergy specialists before I was told that I have chronic hives,” Amos said. “I’m glad to be a part of a community where I can share my experience and help support others who are also dealing with chronic hives.”
Access to treatment can be a particular pain point for people with chronic hives. Nearly three in 10 respondents said they are unable to afford the cost of chronic hives treatment. Only 18% of respondents have ever used injection medications, which are among the most expensive treatments and often used for severe cases of chronic hives.
Affordability is one of multiple factors that could contribute to low condition control. Three in 10 respondents said they considered their chronic hives to be controlled on their current treatment plan. An even lower amount – 15% – said they feel in control of their overall health.
This negative view of overall health could be related to the significant impact the condition can have on mental health and other aspects of quality of life. Only a quarter of respondents said they are satisfied with their current quality of life. Specifically, more than half said their chronic hives have had a negative impact on their ability to sleep, four in 10 said it has negatively impacted their mental health and one-third said their condition has negatively affected both their self-esteem and their social life.
Moreover, half of respondents said they feel alone in their struggle with the condition. For many, this could be related to not knowing others who are also living with the condition. In fact, 84% of respondents said they have never connected with other people living with chronic hives, while only 8% currently keep in touch or engage with other chronic hives patients.
“People with chronic or complex health conditions are constantly looking for meaningful connections throughout their health journeys, whether to obtain information or find and share support,” said Olivier Chateau, Health Union’s co-founder and CEO. “With a condition like chronic hives, for which so few people know or have the opportunity to engage with others who share their experiences, Chronic-Hives.com will be a much-needed resource for many.”
