Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) Explained: New Oral BTK Inhibitor Rhapsido for Chronic Hives

Millions of people live with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) — unpredictable hives and angioedema lasting six weeks or longer with no identifiable trigger. In this episode of the Science of Skin podcast, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Ted Lain and Dr. Michelle Tarbox (Chair, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and host of the Dermosphere podcast) break down what CSU actually is, why it's often misdiagnosed as an allergy, and how it's treated — from first-line antihistamines to omalizumab (Xolair) to the newest option: Rhapsido (remibrutinib), the first oral BTK inhibitor approved for CSU.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How CSU is diagnosed and why it's classified as a skin disease, not a true allergy
• The autoimmune vs. autoallergic subtypes driving chronic hives and angioedema
• Why antihistamine updosing often falls short — and its impact on quality of life
• How BTK inhibitors like remibrutinib (Rhapsido) work differently than biologics like omalizumab
• Real patient stories on the toll of chronic hives, misdiagnosis, and finding relief

This episode is sponsored by Novartis with content independently created by the Science of Skin podcast.

⚠️ This content is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects the personal research findings and opinions of the speakers. It is not medical advice. The discussion involves animal studies and experimental research; consult a licensed healthcare provider for questions about your own health.

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