How Chronic Hives Affects Emotional and Mental Health

Chronic hives affects your skin but can also affect your mental and emotional health. Learn more about this condition and strategies to manage it.

Chronic hives are raised, itchy bumps on the skin that remain for 6 months or longer. They may develop or worsen during a flare-up and disappear or become less severe during periods of remission.

The symptoms are uncomfortable and can disrupt sleep or other activities. You might feel self-conscious or experience social stigma related to visible symptoms, which can affect your mental health.

It’s important to follow your treatment plan and take steps to manage the emotional effects of chronic hives.

A 2019 review found that nearly 1 in 3 people with chronic hives have at least one psychiatric condition such as anxiety or depression. The risk increases with more severe chronic hives.

Factors linked to hives might trigger a stress response or vice versa. However, more research is needed.

Other factors linked to mental health issues include:

• physical discomfort from chronic hives
• social stigma relating to visible symptoms
• the time and financial costs of managing the condition

Chronic hives can also affect sleep, which negatively affects emotional health.

People with visible skin conditions often report external stigma, which occurs when others negatively judge them. Some experience self-stigma when they negatively judge themselves.

As a result, you might find yourself wanting to:

• avoid certain activities
• limit social interactions
• withdraw from others in your personal or professional relationships

This can negatively affect your overall quality of life. Therefore, it’s important to develop positive coping strategies to limit the negative effects of stigma.

To support your emotional well-being with chronic hives, a combination of the following can be helpful:

• medical management
• mental health support
• stress reduction
• self-care habits

Following your treatment plan for chronic hives can help limit flares and relieve symptoms. Your doctor will likely recommend or prescribe one or more of the following medications:

They may also encourage you to avoid certain foods, tight clothing, or other triggers. Triggers vary for each person, and some people experience chronic hives with no known triggers.

Let your doctor know if you have questions or concerns about treatment. You might also need to try more than one treatment to find one that works well for you.

Let your doctor know if you’re experiencing severe stress, symptoms of anxiety, depression, or issues with body image.

Consider asking them for a referral to a mental health professional. They may recommend counseling, medication, or both.

You might also find it helpful to join a support group for chronic hives or mental health issues. Your doctor might be able to suggest a local support group, or you can search for a virtual support group.

Relaxation or stress reduction techniques may help limit stress, improve mental health, and reduce chronic hives symptoms.

A few techniques include:

This type of breathing helps trigger your body’s relaxation response.

1. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position with your eyes closed.
2. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
3. Slowly breathe in through your nose.
4. Then, slowly breathe out through pursed lips.

Try to breathe in a way that causes your belly to rise and fall with each inhale and exhale while keeping your chest as still as possible.

1. Lie down on a comfortable surface, with your body relaxed and your eyes closed.
2. Consciously tense your toes for several seconds, then relax them.
3. Repeat this with each body part, working slowly up from your toes to the top of your head. Tense each body part for several seconds, then relax it.

You can create your own visualization or follow the instructions in a guided visualization.

1. Close your eyes and imagine a calming scene. For example, you might imagine that you’re sitting on a beach, walking through a peaceful forest, or looking into a campfire.
2. Try to imagine this with your full senses. What do you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell?

Practice a healthy lifestyle and cultivate self-care to support your physical and mental health with chronic hives.

For example:

• Sleep at least 7 to 9 hours per night.
• Get regular physical activity.
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and lean proteins.
• Take steps to cut back or quit tobacco products if you currently smoke or use other tobacco products.
• Limit or avoid alcohol consumption.

It’s important to make time for stress-relieving activities, including:

• Spending quality time with friends or family.
• Trying a hobby you enjoy or signing up for a class that explores your interests.
• Writing in a journal, making art, meditating, or finding ways to work through intense emotions or focus on calming thoughts.

Let your doctor know if you find it challenging to develop healthy lifestyle habits.

They may refer you to a specialist or recommend resources that can help you make lifestyle changes.

Chronic hives not only cause skin symptoms but can also affect your mental and emotional health.

People with this condition have an increased risk of mental health challenges. Some experience stigma from others or self-stigma.

It’s vital to take steps to manage the physical and mental effects of chronic hives. Talk with your doctor to learn about your treatment options and support resources. A variety of treatments and lifestyle habits may help you live well with this condition.