A unique piece of art, developed through a partnership between an Irish researcher and an 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’, was displayed at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) to mark World Urticaria Day on 1 October, and the event was attanded by a range of healthcare workers.
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. It is estimated that one in 100 people in Ireland suffer from the chronic condition. While most people can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines if diagnosed correctly, the literature indicates that up to 9,000 patients in Ireland could have uncontrolled symptoms.
Speaking about the condition, Prof Niall Conlon, Consultant Clinical Immunologist, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, 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.”
At the heart of the event at the RCPI was the unveiling of the portrait by artist Valentina Vittorio, which was deeply informed by extensive Irish patient research conducted by PhD student Jennifer Donnelly from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. 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.
“CSU 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 Ms Donnelly. “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.”
Ms Vittorio explained: “Turning the different experiences of individuals living with CSU into a visual form was really moving and challenging. 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.”
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