Display options
Cite
Maurer M, Grabbe J. Urticaria: its history-based diagnosis and etiologically oriented treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008;105(25):458-65; quiz 465-6doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0458.
Maurer, M., & Grabbe, J. (2008). Urticaria: its history-based diagnosis and etiologically oriented treatment. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 105(25), 458-65; quiz 465-6. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2008.0458
Maurer, Marcus, and Grabbe, Jürgen. "Urticaria: its history-based diagnosis and etiologically oriented treatment." Deutsches Arzteblatt international vol. 105,25 (2008): 458-65; quiz 465-6. doi: https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2008.0458
Maurer M, Grabbe J. Urticaria: its history-based diagnosis and etiologically oriented treatment. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008 Jun;105(25):458-65; quiz 465-6. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0458. Epub 2008 Jun 20. PMID: 19626183; PMCID: PMC2696901.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2008 Jun;105(25):458-65; quiz 465-6. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0458. Epub 2008 Jun 20.

Urticaria: its history-based diagnosis and etiologically oriented treatment.

Deutsches Arzteblatt international

Marcus Maurer, Jürgen Grabbe

Affiliations

  1. Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany. [email protected]

PMID: 19626183 PMCID: PMC2696901 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2008.0458

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The term "urticaria" refers to any of a group of distinct skin conditions that are characterized by itchy, wheal-and-flare skin reactions (hives). In spontaneous urticaria, the most common type, the hives seem to arise without provocation.

METHODS: Selective review of the literature, including current guidelines.

RESULTS: Spontaneous urticaria is divided into acute (lasting less than six weeks) and chronic types. The pathognomonic itching, hives, and angioedema arise by the same mechanism--cutaneous mast cell activation and release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation--in both acute and chronic urticaria, but these two disorders have different etiological profiles. The underlying cause of acute urticaria cannot be identified in about half of all cases. Chronic urticaria, which is much rarer, is usually caused by autoreactivity, chronic infection, or intolerance to food additives. If the condition persists after the underlying cause has been treated or eliminated, non-sedating antihistamines are the agents of first choice for symptomatic treatment.

DISCUSSION: Unlike acute urticaria, which is self-limited and should be treated symptomatically, chronic urticaria should be treated by the identification and elimination of underlying causes, which is usually curative.

Keywords: acute urticaria; antihistamines; chronic urticaria; hives; mast cells

References

  1. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2000 Dec;85(6 Pt 2):521-44 - PubMed
  2. Hautarzt. 2003 Feb;54(2):138-43 - PubMed
  3. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2007 Feb;5(2):146-57 - PubMed
  4. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Mar;134(3):319-23 - PubMed
  5. Br J Dermatol. 2002 Jan;146(1):110-3 - PubMed
  6. Acta Derm Venereol. 1996 Jul;76(4):295-7 - PubMed
  7. Pediatr Dermatol. 1990 Jun;7(2):101-7 - PubMed
  8. Hautarzt. 2004 Apr;55(4):350-6 - PubMed
  9. Ann Allergy. 1989 May;62(5):421-4 - PubMed
  10. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003 Nov;49(5):861-4 - PubMed
  11. Br J Dermatol. 1969 Aug;81(8):588-97 - PubMed
  12. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2003 Aug;1(8):655-64 - PubMed
  13. Hautarzt. 1991 Jun;42(6):366-75 - PubMed
  14. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004 Oct;4(5):387-96 - PubMed
  15. Allergy. 2003 Dec;58(12):1224-34 - PubMed
  16. Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(1):74-5 - PubMed
  17. Allergy. 2006 Mar;61(3):316-20 - PubMed
  18. Allergy. 2006 Mar;61(3):321-31 - PubMed

Publication Types