Michelle Tarbox, MD

The panel introduces Case 3—a patient with established CSU, co-existing dermatographia, and incomplete prior treatment records—and discusses how to confirm the diagnosis and prepare for advanced therapy.

The panel discusses how to navigate treatment selection when patients have preferences and how to compare the available advanced therapies.

The panel provides a detailed breakdown of how a BTK inhibitor works in CSU and reviews key findings from the pivotal clinical trials

The panel explores how to assess the full impact of CSU when the skin looks normal, and how to approach the transition to advanced targeted therapy.

The panel introduces Case 2—a more severe patient with daily CSU, recurrent angioedema, throat tightness, and prior emergency department visits.

The panel addresses the role of allergy and immunology in CSU care and argues for a collaborative, access-focused approach between specialties.

The panel turns to treatment strategy—discussing appropriate antihistamine use, dose escalation, and when to move to advanced therapies.

The panel explores how to differentiate CSU from chronic inducible urticaria and acute urticaria, including the potential for overlap between subtypes.

The panel examines how to distinguish CSU from other urticaria subtypes, how to approach angioedema, and how limited—or expansive—the diagnostic workup should be.

The panel reviews the first patient case—a 38-year-old woman with recurrent hives and intermittent swelling—highlighting the key clinical criteria that clinch a CSU diagnosis.

The panel reflects on dermatology's evolving role in CSU, from limited options and reluctance to a new era of empowered, effective disease management.