#76: Diagnosing Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

How do you know if your hives are chronic spontaneous urticaria? 

Join Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta in the second episode of this chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) series as they delve into the diagnostic journey of CSU. 

Have you wondered if the path to a chronic spontaneous urticaria diagnosis is long? CSU can feel like a very complex disease to diagnose due to the lack of identifiable triggers, but this episode breaks down the steps healthcare professionals take to diagnose CSU. 

Dr. G clarifies how allergists' and dermatologists' roles differ in diagnosing CSU. The episode emphasizes the importance of a detailed medical history and the tests involved in ruling out other conditions. It also describes the journey of determining CSU from other skin and allergic reactions through meticulous evaluation and specific testing methods.

What we cover in our episode about diagnosing Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria:

• Introduction to CSU Diagnosis: CSU has no identifiable triggers, making diagnosis a process of elimination.
• Role of Specialists: Patients often start their diagnosis journey at urgent care, after which they consult allergists and dermatologists depending on the severity and symptoms of hives.
• Detailed Medical History: Essential questions cover medications, infections, travel history, and other health changes to rule out underlying causes.
• Physical Examination: Doctors check if hives are “blanchable” to differentiate from other conditions like vasculitis.
• Ruling out other Conditions: This involves evaluating other conditions in which hives are a symptom, such as mast cell disease or various autoimmune diseases. 
• Necessary Tests: Doctor’s apprehension about doing a food allergy test unless necessary. Other tests include looking at blood count (CBC with differential) and inflammation (ESR or CRP). 

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-urticari

This episode is produced in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network. We want to thank Novartis for sponsoring this episode.

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.