Chronic Urticaria: Understanding Your Treatment Options (New Webinar)
Published: June 22, 2026
Join Us for a FREE Webinar on September 9, 2026 | 4 PM ET
Living with chronic urticaria (CU), also known as chronic hives, can be hard. Hives are red, itchy swellings on the skin. They can appear at any time and are not planned. Hives and swelling can make it hard to sleep, cause stress, and make daily activities more difficult. But there is good news. There are now many treatment options that can make your symptoms better and improve your well-being.
Join Dr. Nicole Negbenebor and patient advocate Emmeka Hawkins as they talk about different treatment options for long-lasting hives, including antihistamines, biologics, and a new class of medication called Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors. First, Emmeka will talk about her personal experience living with chronic hives. She will also talk about shared decision-making and her journey toward a treatment option. Dr. Negbenebor will explain what urticaria is, the common signs and symptoms, and how these treatments work. She will also highlight strategies she uses for shared decision-making to help improve her patient engagement, adherence, and outcomes.
Register today and get ready to learn about your treatment options, set health goals, and learn how to take care of yourself!
Target Audience
This webinar is designed for individuals seeking education and care for chronic urticaria, including:
- People living with chronic urticaria (chronic hives)
- Caregivers, family members, and care partners
- Patient advocates
- Anyone who wants to learn more about chronic urticaria and how to treat it
Our speakers:
This patient-focused webinar brings together both lived experience and medical expertise:
Emmeka Hawkins will share her personal experience living with CU, including daily challenges, diagnosis, and navigating treatment. Emmeka Hawkins, known online as “Meka,” is a content creator, patient advocate, and speaker living with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). After developing chronic hives in 2020 and facing a long journey to diagnosis, she has used her platform to raise awareness about CSU, self-advocacy, and the unique challenges of living with chronic skin conditions in skin of color. Through her personal storytelling, Emmeka helps patients feel less alone while encouraging informed conversations with healthcare providers. She is passionate about inclusive care, wellness, and improving representation for people of color living with chronic diseases.
Dr. Nicole Negbenebor will explain CU in clear, easy-to-understand terms and offer practical management tips. Dr. Nicole Negbenebor is an Assistant Professor in Mohs Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology and Director of the Skin of Color Clinic, Director of Resident Surgery Education, and Director of the HS Clinic at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. She completed her Mohs fellowship in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Iowa and attended Yale University for undergraduate studies. After earning her medical degree from Brown University, Dr. Negbenebor completed dermatology residency training at Brown University. Her work focuses on skin of color dermatology, advocacy, and expanding access to dermatologic care for underserved communities. She is also a co-founder of the Skin of Color Community Event Series, an initiative aimed at increasing access to dermatology for underserved populations.
A certificate of attendance is available for all registered attendees. Continuing education (CE) credit is not available for this webinar.
Special thanks to Novartis for supporting this educational campaign.
If you’re unable to attend the live session, registered participants will receive access to the on-demand recording and supplemental resources.
