Episode 98: Navigating Chronic Urticaria - A Panel Discussion from the 2025 Annual SF Derm Conference | The Future of Dermatology

Summary

In this truncated replay from a session at the 2025 SF Derm Annual Conference, Dr. Daniel Butler, Dr. Lawrence Eichenfield, Dr. Jason Hawkes, Dr. Shyam Joshi, and Dr. Bob Geng discuss the workup for chronic urticaria, focusing on testing approaches, the role of biomarkers, and insights into immune deficiencies. These panelists share their experiences and guidelines, emphasizing the importance of symptomatic management and the variability of lab results in clinical practice.

Takeaways

- Initial workup for chronic urticaria often does not require specific testing. - Testing may be justified if standard treatments fail. - International guidelines differ from US guidelines regarding testing. - Biomarkers currently available are not reliable for treatment decisions. - Symptomatic management should be prioritized over extensive testing. - Clinical trials show variability in lab results over time. - Excessive lab testing can lead to confusion and unnecessary anxiety for patients. - Understanding patient history is crucial in diagnosing immune deficiencies. - The role of family history is significant in identifying X-linked conditions. - Collaboration among dermatologists is essential for advancing treatment approaches.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Chronic Urticaria Workup 02:47 - Testing Approaches and Guidelines for Chronic Urticaria 05:41 - The Role of Biomarkers in Treatment Decisions 08:16 - Clinical Insights on Immune Deficiencies 11:14 - Variability in Lab Results and Clinical Trials 14:07 - Conclusion and Future Directions in Dermatology