Urticaria

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

When a trigger produces high levels of histamine in the skin which causes blood vessels to leak and produce a skin reaction

Question 2

What is acute urticaria?

Answer 2

Clears in 6 weeks

Question 3

What is chronic urticaria?

Answer 3

Comes and goes for more than 6 weeks

Question 4

What are the usual triggers? (4)

Answer 4

1, Allergy e.g insect bite or food

2. Cold/heat exposure
3. Infections e.g cold
4. NSAIDs, Antibiotics

Question 5

What are some unusual triggers?

Answer 5

Some are thought to be autoimmune

Question 6

What investigations?

Answer 6

Can normally diagnose clinically but may need a patch test to confirm the cause

Question 7

Signs and Symptoms

Answer 7

Redness, swelling, itchiness, also known as Hives/weaves/nettle rash, raised rash, may appear on one localised place or can be widespread

Question 8

What is the treatment? (6)

Answer 8

Treatment isn’t normally needed as it resolves in a few days, antihistamines e.g Loratidine, Oral Corticosteroids for severe Urticaria, Menthol cream, Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists, Ciclosporin immunomodulator