The Itch: Allergies, Asthma, Eczema & Immunology1 Okt

#177 - Treating Chronic Hives in Special Populations (Women, Pregnancy, Kids, Older Adults & Multiple Conditions

Chronic hives guidelines give doctors a roadmap for treatment, but not everyone fits the same path. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, childhood, getting older, and living with more than one chronic condition can all change how chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is treated.

Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by Dr. Allison Ramsey, an allergist and immunologist, to walk through the special populations section of the chronic urticaria guidelines.

What we cover in this episode about chronic hives in special populations

Why it's not your fault. Dr. Ramsey explains how she "absolves" patients of hunting for a trigger, because CSU starts with the immune system, not with anything outside the body.
Why women are more burdened by chronic hives. About 70% of people with CSU are women. Estrogen can push the immune system toward autoimmunity, and hives can shift with the menstrual cycle and become less common after menopause.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Non-drowsy antihistamines are considered safe, and pregnancy data from asthma suggest omalizumab (Xolair) and dupilumab (Dupixent) are too.
Adults 65 and older. Higher antihistamine doses can cause sleepiness and raise the risk of falls, so share every medication you take. Biologics don't interact with other medicines.
Living with more than one condition. People with CSU are more likely to have other autoimmune conditions. If you also have asthma, eczema, nasal polyps, or food allergy, one medication may treat more than one condition, so tell your doctor about everything.
Chronic hives in children. Most hives in kids come from viruses and go away quickly. When kids do have CSU, they often respond better to antihistamines than adults.

More resources

More episodes about urticaria

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Made in partnership with The Allergy & Asthma Network.

Thanks to Genentech and Novartis for supporting today’s episode.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for any medical concerns.

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