Shawn Kwatra, MD

This segment of the most recent episode of Skin of Color Savvy highlights a conversation between Shawn Kwatra, MD, and Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH.

This new episode from January 2026 features a compilation of 3 clips from the most viewed episodes of 2025.

Kwatra spoke at Fall Clinical about several key highlights from his sessions discussing atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, and the OX40 ligand (OX40L).

Shawn Kwatra, MD, highlights his team’s findings presented at EADV on the efficacy of dupilumab in treating prurigo nodularis.

In the inaugural episode of Skin of Color Savvy, Andrew Alexis, MD, MPH, and Shawn Kwatra, MD, discuss diagnosis and management of itch in skin of color.

Panelists discuss their advice for dermatologists managing chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment plans, and staying updated on emerging therapies and clinical guidelines.

Panelists discuss the unmet needs in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) management, highlighting the evolution of the field toward more personalized and effective treatment strategies to address refractory symptoms.

Panelists discuss how Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are reshaping the evolving treatment landscape for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) by providing targeted therapeutic options that address underlying mast cell activation.

Panelists discuss how patient education and shared decision-making are crucial in selecting appropriate therapies, as they empower patients to understand their treatment options and actively participate in their care.

Panelists discuss how Bruton tyrosine kinase’s (BTK) role in mediating mast cell degranulation makes it an ideal target for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) treatment, as inhibiting BTK could effectively reduce histamine release and its associated symptoms.

Panelists discuss how the integration of advanced treatments such as biologics and Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors can bridge the gap in managing chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) for patients unresponsive to antihistamines.

Panelists discuss how steroids can play a role in the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), while emphasizing that practitioners should exercise caution due to potential adverse effects and the need for careful monitoring when using systemic steroids.

Panelists discuss how the treatment goals for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) focus on achieving symptom control and improving quality of life for patients, while also aiming for effective management strategies and adherence to treatment plans for physicians.

Panelists discuss how, given that approximately 49% of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) consult general practitioners, while only approximately 19% see dermatologists, there is a compelling case for more patients to be referred to dermatologists, as CSU is an internally driven disease that may benefit from specialized expertise.

Panelists discuss how disease severity in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is assessed using tools such as the Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7) and the Urticaria Control Test (UCT), while also addressing the frequency of delayed diagnoses and the significant implications for condition management and patient quality of life.

Panelists discuss how testing for chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is recommended, with routine blood counts, including tests for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and/or c-reactive protein (CRP), and specific antibody tests such as immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti- thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) being highlighted, according to guidelines.

Panelists discuss how the diagnosis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) involves assessing wheals, hives, and angioedema, while emphasizing that the chronic and spontaneous nature of the condition can complicate the diagnostic process.

Panelists discuss how recent insights into chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) pathogenesis reveal potential autoimmune responses and highlight the role of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) as a key mediator in mast cell degranulation and histamine release.

Panelists discuss how patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) experience increased rates of depression, sleep disturbances, and absenteeism, significantly impacting their professional life and overall quality of life.

Panelists discuss how chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as the spontaneous appearance of wheals or angioedema lasting more than six 6 weeks, which can significantly impact patients' clinical health and psychosocial well-being.

Panelists discuss how chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) affects approximately 0.5% to 1% of the population, predominantly impacting women and often presenting with variable wheals and angioedema.

Shawn Kwatra, MD, discusses the durability of treatments for atopic dermatitis and provides advice for clinicians on improving patients’ quality of life.

An expert on skin conditions provides an overview of TARGET-DERM, a real-world study of patient-reported outcomes in atopic dermatitis.

Shawn Kwatra, MD, provides an overview of oral JAK inhibitors for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, highlighting data from clinical trials.

An expert on atopic dermatitis provides insights on how the evolving treatment landscape has impacted clinician and patient expectations.

Shawn Kwatra, MD, discusses the effects of poorly controlled or severe atopic dermatitis on patients’ quality of life and how to measure patient-reported outcomes.

Dermatologists end their discussion on seborrheic dermatitis (SD), highlighting key takeaways for patients and clinicians on managing this condition.

Experts discuss the profound impact of seborrheic dermatitis on a patients' well-being, examining the common misconceptions, diagnostic delays, and societal judgments that hinder effective management and necessitate enhanced clinical outreach and patient education.

Dermatologists discuss the realm of emerging therapies for seborrheic dermatitis (SD), emphasizing the importance of both breakthrough and failed trials, while highlighting the need for scientific rigor and patient-reported outcomes.