Coping and Support

First and foremost – stay cool, stay calm
• Keep your skin cool. Stay in air-conditioned environments for as long as possible in summer.
• Do your best to reduce stress. Consider taking up a relaxing hobby or activity, like yoga or meditation. Ensure you get enough sleep.

Take care of yourself and your surroundings.

  •  Pamper yourself!
  • Apply cool, wet compresses to your skin. Covering the affected skin with bandages
    or dressings can be soothing and also prevent scratching.
  • Take a cool bath. But not too cold – make it comfortable! Adding some baking
    soda, uncooked oatmeal or colloidal oatmeal to help with itching.
  • Dress for success! Wear loose, smooth-textured clothing, preferably cotton. Avoid tight, scratchy, or rough material, including wool.
  • Avoid anything that aggravates your CIU, irritates your skin or causes an allergic reaction. This includes certain foods like spicy food, medications, pollen, pet dander, scented household cleaning products, latex or insect stings.
  • Cut down on the drinking! Alcohol consumption may aggravate symptoms.

Track your symptoms and keep a diary of when and where the hives start, when you experience a worsening of symptoms and what you ate that day.