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Common Myths and Misunderstandings about Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

 

Our Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations podcast is back with a look at some common myths and misunderstandings of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). This episode is the fifth in our CSU series. It is produced in collaboration with The Itch Podcast.

CSU is a confusing condition where people get hives and swelling without any known cause. Many people don’t understand it well. This episode aims to clear up any misconceptions and explain what CSU is really like.

You can listen to or download the podcast on ITCHPODCAST.COM for listening anytime, anywhere. The podcast can also be downloaded at:

We thank Novartis for sponsoring this podcast series.

The Truth About CSU

In the episode, co-hosts Payel Gupta, MD and Kortney examine several myths about CSU. They cover the following topics:

  • CSU Myths Debunked: Get the truth on common myths, like whether CSU is caused by allergies and if it’s a rare condition.
  • Impact on Daily Life: Learn how CSU can affect quality of life, including both emotional and physical challenges.
  • Treatment Options: Learn about different treatments besides antihistamines, such as immunosuppressants and biologics.
  • Understanding the Condition: Understand what CSU is and isn’t, and why knowing more about the condition is important for managing it effectively. Dr. Gupta discusses the impact of itch in CSU patients.

Key takeaways from this podcast

  • Discover the truth about common CSU myths, like why it isn’t caused by allergies or can’t spread to others.
  • Learn about how CSU can affect your daily life, causing emotional and physical challenges.
  • Explore different treatment options beyond just antihistamines, such as using immunosuppressants and biologics.

Podcast timestamps

  • 1:02 – CSU is caused by allergies.
  • 2:17 – CSU is contagious.
  • 3:26 – CSU is a rare condition.
  • 3:51 – CSU is not a serious condition.
  • 6:51 – Stress is the main cause of CSU.
  • 7:17 – CSU only affects the skin.
  • 7:50 – CSU will go away quickly.
  • 8:28 – There isn’t any treatment for chronic hives.
  • 9:14 – Antihistamines are the only treatment for CSU.
  • 10:06 – Changing your diet will help CSU.
  • 10:38 – CSU can be cured.
  • 11:40 – Once CSU goes away, it will never come back again.
  • 11:52 – Men and women are equally affected by CSU.
  • 12:05 – You can always pinpoint the exact cause of hives in patients with CSU.
  • 13:03 – Autoimmune conditions are more common in people with CSU.
  • 13:30 – Scratching hives is harmless.
  • 14:18 – Once my hives are controlled, I need to be on the medication forever.
  • 14:46 – All hives look the same.
  • 15:20 – Only adults get CSU.
  • 15:43 – CSU hives are always accompanied by other allergic symptoms.
  • 16:45 – Having CSU doesn’t affect quality of life.
  • 17:28 – The itch in CSU is not a big deal.
  • 18:46 – Allergy testing will help me figure out why I have CSU.

Additional Resources