Urticaria

Question 1

What is urticaria?

Answer 1

also known as hives

small itchy lumps that appear on the skin

Question 2

what can urticaria be associated with?

Answer 2

angioedema
flushing
patchy erythematous rash

Question 3

What causes urticaria? what about acute vs chronic?

Answer 3

release of histamine by mast cells in the skin
acute - allergic
chronic - autoimmune

Question 4

Causes of acute urticaria

Answer 4

allergies to food/meds/animals
latex, chemicals
viral infection 
insect bites 
dermatographism

Question 5

dermatographism

Answer 5

rubbing of the skin

Question 6

3 types of chronic urticaria

Answer 6

idiopathic
inducible
autoimmune

Question 7

chronic idiopathic urticaria

Answer 7

recurrent episodes of chronic urticaria without a clear underlying cause or trigger

Question 8

chronic inducible urticaria triggers

Answer 8

sunlight 
temp change
exercise 
emotions 
pressure

Question 9

autoimmune urticaria

Answer 9

eg SLE

Question 10

main treatment for urticaria

Answer 10

antihistamines

Question 11

antihistamine of choice for chronic urticaria

Answer 11

fexofenadine

Question 12

what medications may be considered in a short course for severe flares?

Answer 12

oral steroids

Question 13

specialist medications

Answer 13

anti-leukotrienes eg motelukast
omalizumab
cyclosporin