Hives that recur for more than six weeks are chronic. Chronic spontaneous urticaria means the wheals or swelling occur without a consistent external trigger.
Care starts with symptom history, photographs, medication review, physical findings, and focused testing when indicated. Treatment usually begins with non-sedating H1 antihistamines before a specialist considers a biologic for persistent symptoms.
Condition-first evaluation
Confirm the pattern of hives before choosing a medication pathway.
Focused testing
Broad panels are not automatically useful. Testing follows the history and examination.
Measured response
Track wheals, itch, swelling, sleep, daily function, and medication use over time.
Throat swelling or breathing trouble is an emergency
Call 911 for tongue or throat swelling, breathing difficulty, fainting, rapidly worsening symptoms, or suspected anaphylaxis. A chronic-hives appointment is not emergency treatment.