When Tyler Burkhart’s chronic hives first appeared in 2014, the change happened almost overnight. “I woke up one day and had hives up my arm and swelling in one of my fingers,” Tyler said.

At first, over-the-counter allergy medicines helped relieve the itching. Over time, though, the hives became more frequent, happening at least once a week and lasting two to three days at a time.

Tyler, a father of 5-year-old twins who lives in Seattle, had always considered himself active and healthy. But being diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria greatly affected his life.

“The diagnosis affected every single aspect of my life in a negative way,” Tyler said.

Fortunately, Tyler was able to gain control over his symptoms. Read more about his 12-year journey with chronic hives and how he finally found symptom relief.

Living With Hives, Swelling, and Uncertainty

Tyler’s hives usually appear as blotchy areas on his trunk and arms. They can also be accompanied by angioedema (a type of swelling) in the fingers, eyes, and lips.

While the physical symptoms were difficult to cope with, the uncertainty also took a toll. Tyler didn’t know when the next flare would happen, where the hives would appear, or how severe the swelling might be.

He worried about waking up with hives on his face or hands or swelling around his mouth or eyes. He worried the symptoms would affect his workday.

“Because of this, I developed anxiety and depression from not knowing when or how bad the hives would appear,” Tyler said.

Searching for Answers

Tyler saw multiple doctors and allergists. He went through many tests, but nothing pointed to a clear trigger.

“I tried every elimination diet and every allergy test possible to figure out what the trigger could be for my chronic hives and edema, and everything resulted negative, resulting in an idiopathic diagnosis,” Tyler said.

For years, Tyler felt stuck between symptoms that kept returning and medical visits that didn’t bring answers. He said some doctors focused on possible environmental causes, but that explanation didn’t help him find relief.

A Turning Point With the Right Specialist

Everything changed for Tyler in 2021 when he met an allergy doctor who had experience with chronic hives.

“The turning point was meeting my wonderful allergy doctor. I honestly think it saved my life from deep depression and anxiety,” Tyler said.

That doctor helped Tyler find a treatment plan. He began omalizumab (Xolair) injections every four to six weeks. Tyler’s experience with treatment was life-changing for him.

“The Xolair injection saved my life and got me out of the deepest, darkest depression I have ever felt,” he said.

Five years later, he’s still taking omalizumab injections every six to seven weeks.

Tyler’s results reflect his own experience, and every person’s treatment needs are different. People living with chronic hives should talk with their healthcare team about what options may be appropriate for their symptoms, health history, and goals.

What Tyler Wished He Had Known

Looking back, Tyler wished he had known more about what treatment options were available to him. “I wish I had known that there was an injectable allergy medicine that could eliminate or help control my hives,” he said.

His advice for someone newly diagnosed was to look for a doctor who has specific experience in chronic hives and angioedema.

“Just seeing an average, run-of-the-mill allergist won’t work. The three or four that I saw before I met my current specialist had no idea what it was and kept chalking it up to environmental factors.”

For Tyler, finding the right specialist changed his quality of life. After years of hives, swelling, anxiety, and unanswered questions, he finally had a plan that helped him feel more in control.

Join the Conversation

On MyChronicHivesTeam, people share their experiences with chronic hives, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What helped you feel more in control of your symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.