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Urticaria Awareness Day (UDAY) 2026

Oct 1, 2026  · A Day to Focus on the Real Impact of Chronic Hives

Take Back Control – From Itch to Understanding.

For many people with chronic hives, the persistent itch, swelling, and unpredictable flares disrupt sleep, daily life, and emotional well-being. Join us for global day of awareness to spark lasting change for the millions of people affected by hives.

#UrticariaAwareness · #UDAY · #ChronicHives · #TakeBackControl

Urticaria is the medical name for hives. Mild to intense itching, swelling, burning, and stinging are common symptoms of hives. People with chronic hives experience these symptoms for more than 6 weeks, sometimes for months or years.   Chronic hives can affect every part of daily life:

  • Raised, itchy welts appear without warning
  • Swelling can be painful
  • Constant itch disrupts sleep, work, and relationships

If you live with chronic hives, talk openly with your doctor about:

  1. How hives affect your sleep, wellbeing, and daily living
  2. What matters most to you in your treatment
  3. Questions or concerns you may not have shared before

You are not alone – join AAFA’s online community for emotional support, to learn about treatment options, and become an advocate for change to help #TakeBackControl from chronic hives.   

There are different types of chronic hives

 

 

 

 

AAFA is proud to be uniting forces with fellow patient advocacy organizations Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, Allergy & Asthma Network, We CU, and The Mast Cell Disease Society, Inc. to create a new effort focused on advancing education, community support, and advocacy for people and families impacted by chronic hives.

There are different types of chronic hives

AAFA is proud to be uniting forces with fellow patient advocacy organizations Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform, Allergy & Asthma Network, We CU, and The Mast Cell Disease Society, Inc. to create a new effort focused on advancing education, community support, and advocacy for people and families impacted by chronic hives.

Key Messages

Itch should not disrupt your life

Chronic hives disrupt daily life but do not have to. With better understanding and treatment options, the burden of this disease can be addressed, helping people take steps toward better care, support, and management.

Listening leads to understanding

What life is like living with chronic hives can be difficult to explain to others, including health care professionals. UDAY encourages people to talk openly about their symptoms and experiences and urges health care professionals to ask the right questions and listen carefully.

Good conversations improve care

Decisions about how to manage and treat chronic hives should be made by the people living with the condition, their caregivers, and their health care team. Shared decision-making is a partnership to help people get care tailored to their needs.

Research brings better solutions

UDAY encourages people with chronic hives to take part in research by taking surveys, joining advisory boards, or clinical studies. This helps scientists and doctors understand urticaria better.

Community creates strength

No one should face urticaria alone. UDAY is a global effort to build support and grow a stronger sense of community. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is here to support you every step of your journey – with resources to help you learn how to manage chronic hives with confidence.

We need U for UDAY!

Act now to help build understanding and knowledge about chronic hives.

Take the UDAY public awareness survey to help support future education and advocacy efforts. The survey takes 1-2 minutes to complete.

Take the survey

Are you ready to be an advocate or help research for chronic hives?

Contact us
Acknowledgement Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month materials are developed independently by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. AAFA’s efforts for UDAY is made possible in part by financial contributions from Novartis. We thank them for their support to raise this visibility. .