Urticaria Day 2022: promoting a better quality of life
Posted: 28th September 2022 | Posted by Costa
Urticaria Day 2022: promoting a better quality of life
That time of year has come around again. Every year on the 1st of October, we raise awareness for Urticaria Day. By marking the occasion we want people to speak up about their life with the condition, and how we can make it an easier burden to bear.
This year is all about a “better quality of life”. While chronic urticaria is a physical condition, we don’t always pay attention to the effects it can have on our mental health. The focus of Urticaria Day 2022 is about how we can deal with the mental health challenges that arise and support those who need it.
If you’re not aware of urticaria and its far-reaching effects, we’re here to give you all the information you need.
What is urticaria?
Urticaria is a skin condition that you may also know as ‘hives’. You can notice it by its characteristic pale red weals that it leaves on the skin. It might not seem serious, but the intense itching that comes along with it can take a real toll on a person’s day.
This can be present on a specific part of the body for some, but for others it can spread across larger areas. And, while it can be acute and temporary, for many it is a chronic condition that flares up repeatedly. If you want to read more, we’ve talked about Urticaria Day in previous blogs, which you can find here, here, and here.
What is Urticaria Day 2022?
As we said before, this year’s theme is a “better quality of life”. Because even though it’s a skin condition, it can affect all aspects of a person’s life. As anyone living with the condition will attest to. They can compromise your ability to work, stop you from doing physical activity, or strain your relationships.
This is how it can affect a person’s mental health. People with chronic urticaria may feel isolated because their friends and family don’t understand. Or, by preventing someone from physical activity, it might stop them doing something they love. If the aim is to improve quality of life, then mental health has to be a part of the conversation.
The Urticaria Day website has some fantastic short videos that show just how chronic urticaria can affect our lives. From disturbing sleep to increasing anxiety, these videos are well worth showing someone who doesn’t understand how you feel.
What can you do?
The reason why Urticaria Day exists? To raise awareness. So if you want to do something to help, spread the word! There are a number of ways the organisers suggest you can help out. Why not look to see if there are any events in your local community? Just search “Urticaria Day” and your area and see what comes up. Take a look at social media, too.
Speaking of which, if you can’t take part in an event, you can still post about it on social media. The Urticaria Day organisers ask you to use the #UrticariaDay2022 and #UDAY2022 hashtags to join in with the conversation. Just showing that you’re paying attention can go a long way. And let your friends and family know all about it and how serious it can be.
For anyone suffering with acute or chronic urticaria, just know that you’re not alone. Urticaria Day 2022 is here to show you how much people care. If you’re ever concerned about your condition, talk to a skincare or allergy specialist to discuss the right course of treatment for you.
We’re a comforting shoulder for anyone with urticaria. We raise awareness about this condition every year because we acknowledge the effect it has on people. To discuss your urticaria, you can book an appointment with us, or simply give us a call on 02031 433 449.