#75 - Understanding Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Hives Demystified

Do you get hives and have no clue why? Then this episode is for you!

Join Kortney and Dr. Gupta as they unpack chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in a six-part series. You may also have heard of this condition called chronic idiopathic urticaria or spontaneous urticaria.

In this first episode, Kortney and Dr. Gupta dive into the nitty gritty of chronic spontaneous urticaria. They define the medical term "urticaria," commonly known as hives, and discuss how CSU differs from other forms of urticaria. They dive into the symptoms, including the itchy and transient nature of hives, and emphasize that CSU can vary in appearance depending on skin tone. 

What may seem complicated in chronic spontaneous urticaria is that there are no triggers. Instead, Dr. G walks us through the factors that may be culprits to CSU flares, such as stress and certain medications, and she highlights the impact of autoimmune conditions on CSU prevalence.

What we cover in our episode about chronic spontaneous urticaria:

• Definition and symptoms of urticaria (hives)
• Differences between chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and chronic inducible urticaria (CINDU)
• The definition of chronic spontaneous urticaria and its symptoms
• The role of histamine in hives
• The mechanisms of itch and why scratching feels so good
• Factors that can exacerbate chronic spontaneous urticaria
• Populations most affected by chronic spontaneous urticaria
• The average duration of CSU symptoms
• Is chronic spontaneous urticaria curable

More resources about chronic spontaneous urticaria:

• Chronic Urticaria Management, Resources & Glossary of Terms: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/chronic-urticaria/management-and-resources/
• What is Chronic Urticaria: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/chronic-urticaria/
• Episode 39: urticaria what causes hives? https://www.itchpodcast.com/episodes/39-urticaria

This episode is produced in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network. We thank Novartis for sponsoring this episode and the series. 

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.