Dr. Naiem Issa, a board-certified dermatologist and the Medical Director of Research & Academics at Forefront Dermatology, joins Janelle on That’s Derm Good! to explore a major breakthrough in CSU (chronic spontaneous urticaria) care. The FDA’s approval of Rhapsido® (remibrutinib) introduces a targeted BTK inhibitor that offers rapid, meaningful relief for patients who have long struggled with limited treatment options.

Dr. Issa’s path into dermatology is anything but traditional. With both an MD and a PhD from Georgetown University, he conducted early work in computational drug discovery that led to the identification of new uses for existing medications. This breakthrough shaped his scientific career. After completing residency and fellowship training, he combined academic research with clinical dermatology, now seeing complex immunology and CSU patients across multiple states while leading clinical trials for new therapies.

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or health advice. This podcast does not substitute medical treatment. Always consult a doctor or dermatologist regarding medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

In this episode, Dr. Naiem Issa explains why CSU is so often misunderstood, including why allergy panels are usually negative, why patients bounce between specialists, and why many mistakenly think their condition is triggered by food or environmental exposures. More importantly, he explains how BTK inhibitors target the mast cell “control center,” helping stop hives, swelling, and itch, regardless of whether the patient has an autoimmune or autoallergic variant of CSU.

This conversation blends science, compassion, and practical insight, offering clarity to clinicians, coordinators, and patients navigating a condition that has long lacked effective options.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.