Chronic Urticaria: Understanding Your Treatment Options (Recording)

This webinar was recorded on September 9, 2026

Imagine stepping out of the shower one evening and feeling an intense, burning itch erupt across your back, welts you can barely see, let alone reach. No warning. No obvious cause. Just your body, seemingly at war with itself.

That’s exactly how Emmeka Hawkins’ journey with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) began in 2020. Six years later, she’s thriving, and her story holds critical lessons for the estimated 0.5% to 1% of the global population living with chronic urticaria.

What Is Chronic Urticaria, Really?

Chronic urticaria isn’t simply “bad hives.” According to Dr. Nicole Negbenebor, it’s defined as the recurrent appearance of wheals, angioedema, or both, persisting for six weeks or longer. The culprit? Histamine released by mast cells, often triggered by autoimmune signals rather than external allergens, a distinction that trips up many patients who spend months eliminating foods and products unnecessarily, just as Emmeka did.

Critically, in patients with darker skin tones, hives may appear purple, brown, or skin-toned, not the bright red depicted in most medical imagery. This diagnostic gap delays care and leaves patients, as Emmeka described, “in the dark.”

The Treatment Ladder: From Antihistamines to Biologics

Treatment follows a structured, evidence-based progression:

1. Second-generation H1 antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine)—dosed up to four times the standard amount daily
2. Omalizumab (Xolair)—a monthly anti-IgE biologic injection, considered the gold standard for antihistamine-refractory CSU
3. Dupilumab (Dupixent)—an anti-IL-4 receptor biologic, particularly advantageous for patients also managing eczema or severe asthma
4. Remibrutinib (Repcito)—a newer oral BTK inhibitor taken twice daily, offering a needle-free alternative

As Dr. Negbenebor emphasized, shared decision-making is non-negotiable. Factors like injection comfort, comorbidities, and insurance requirements all shape which therapy is right for you.

The Burden You Don’t See

Beyond the physical symptoms, CSU exacts a profound psychological toll. Emmeka candidly shared how the unpredictability of flares fueled anxiety, causing her to withdraw from daily activities. Dr. Negbenebor confirmed this is clinically significant, CSU demonstrably impairs sleep quality, workplace productivity, and mental health.

The takeaway? A therapist or mental health professional isn’t a luxury, it’s a legitimate part of your care team.

Your Next Step

If antihistamines are no longer delivering 12 hours of comfortable relief, that’s your signal to have a frank conversation with your provider about advancing treatment. You’re not at a dead end, you’re at a crossroads with more options than ever before.

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 shared 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 explains 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.