A unique collaboration for World Urticaria Day highlights lived experience combining art and science
1st October 2025 – A unique piece of art, developed through a partnership with an Irish researcher and artist, was created to increase awareness and understanding of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU), a debilitating chronic autoimmune condition. The portrait, “A Shared Canvas: The Untold Stories of Urticaria”, will be on display at the Royal College of Physicians today.
CSU, characterised by spontaneous hives, uncontrolled itching and unpredictable episodes of disfiguring swelling of the skin can significantly impact the quality of life of those affected, causing physical discomfort and emotional distress.1 It is estimated that 1 in 100 people in Ireland suffer from chronic spontaneous urticaria.2,3 For the majority of these, they can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines if diagnosed correctly. However, even with antihistamine treatment, the literature indicates that up to 9000 patients in Ireland could have uncontrolled symptoms.4
At the heart of the event in the RCPI is the unveiling of a striking portrait by artist Valentina Vittorio. This isn’t just any painting; it is a co-designed artwork, deeply informed by extensive Irish patient research conducted by PhD student Jennifer Donnelly from the RCSI. The research, based on in-depth patient interviews, uncovered the often-invisible psychosocial and emotional burdens of living with uncontrolled flares of hives, including profound loneliness, isolation, a devastating loss of identity, burning sensations and relentless sleep deprivation.
“Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria is a condition under recognised in public discourse. Our research over the past few years has highlighted the raw, often hidden, emotional toll including the loneliness, the isolation, the burning sensation that goes beyond the skin” said Jennifer Donnelly, PhD student, RCSI. “I had so many text documents of quotes and interviews, but it was Artist Valentina Vittorio who took on the task of translating these perspectives into her artwork.”
“Turning the different experiences of individuals living with CSU into a visual form was really moving and challenging ” Artist Valentina Vittorio explained. “The feedback from the patients was that I should focus on the themes of loneliness, isolation and that intense burning sensation. These were challenging to put into art, but it helped to have this input and direction. I aimed to create one portrait to represent all the different emotions and experiences. I hope it helps others better understand the unseen side of this condition.”
Speaking about the symptoms, Professor Niall Conlon, Consultant Clinical Immunologist, St James’s Hospital and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Trinity College Dublin, said: “The uncontrolled itch from CSU substantially impacts quality of life, disrupting sleep and interrupting daily activities. This condition disrupts relationships, sleep, work, school and mental wellbeing. Around the world, patients often feel unable to participate fully in society due to the unpredictability and discomfort of urticaria. It is not only a medical issue but a significant barrier to living a full and confident life. The global burden of this disease must be recognised and addressed with urgency.”
Agron Hasani, Country Head of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Novartis Ireland said: “At Novartis, our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives. Raising awareness of this research ‘A Shared Canvas: The Untold Stories of Urticaria’ underscores our commitment to the CSU community. It is important to work alongside health care practitioners and patient advocates to address the unmet needs and ultimately improve the lives of those affected by this challenging condition.”
Ireland is home to a designated UCARE Centre at St James’s Hospital in Dublin, focused on improving management and research for urticaria patients.
#ChronicSpontaneousUrticaria #UDAYYourJourney #UnmetNeedInHives #UDAY2025 #CSU
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