Ep. 107: Hives in the Latinx Community - Understanding Urticaria in the Hispanic/Latino Population

Doctor InterviewFood AllergiesAllergiesAsthmaEczemaImmunologyPatient InterviewEOEAAII PodcastMast Cell DiseaseCSUUrticariaBiologicsHealth InsuranceType 2 Inflammation

Apr 10

Written By Kortney Kwong Hing

Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast

This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.

We thank Novartis for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.

LISTEN TO EPISODE 107:

Spotify • Amazon Music • Apple Podcast

Ever wonder how culture and language barriers affect diagnosing chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in Latinx patients?

In this episode, allergist Dr. Juanita Mora joins Kortney and Dr. Gupta to discuss chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives) and the unique challenges faced by the Latinx community. They highlight the importance of cultural competency in health care and the barriers that Latinx patients often encounter, such as language differences and access to specialists. They also discuss how Latinx patients are often not given all treatment options for hives, such as biologics.

Dr. Mora emphasizes the importance of having resources available in Spanish and encourages patients and families to advocate for their care. They explore practical tips on how technology, family support, and proper patient education can help overcome barriers, leading to better diagnosis, treatment, and improved quality of life for Hispanic patients managing CSU.

What we cover in our episode about chronic hives in latinx patients:

Diagnosing hives in skin of color: How CSU symptoms can present differently on darker skin tones, making accurate diagnosis harder.
Overcoming barriers for Latinx patients: The specific hurdles the Latinx community faces like language barriers, limited access to Spanish-speaking allergists, and challenges obtaining advanced treatments such as biologics.
Role of family and community support: How involving family members and community leaders can improve CSU awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage patients to seek timely medical treatment.
Importance of Spanish-language patient education: Why accessible, culturally relevant education and resources in Spanish are essential for empowering Latinx patients to manage their CSU effectively.
Cultural beliefs and CSU diagnosis: How cultural perceptions around health and family influence the timing of diagnosis and willingness to seek medical care.

About our hives expert: Dr. Mora

Dr. Juanita Mora, M.D., is an allergist and immunologist at the Chicago Allergy Center, specializing in asthma, allergies, urticaria, and immunology. Passionate about providing culturally competent care, Dr. Mora is dedicated to patient education, advocacy, and improving healthcare access for the Latinx community. She actively supports her patients in overcoming language barriers, ensuring they receive accurate diagnoses and effective, personalized treatment plans.

Follow Dr. Mora on Instgram @dr.juanitamora

Listen now! Spotify • Amazon Music • Apple Podcast