PMID: 11928259Apr 4, 2002Paper

Acute, chronic or physical urticaria. What causes the hives?

MMW Fortschritte der Medizin
Bettina Wedi

Abstract

Urticaria is characterized by strongly pruritic wheals and in some cases, angioedema. On the basis of a careful case history, the type of urticaria presenting can usually be determined. In the case of the acute form, no complicated diagnostic work-up is necessary. Treatment is symptomatic: the use of ASA should be avoided, while an acute infection requires treatment. When there is recurrent angioedema, chronic urticaria and physical forms, a multitude of triggering factors must be considered. In many cases, symptoms may persist for years. Symptomatic treatment with antihistaminics is often inadequate, but long-term treatment with glucocorticoids should be avoided on account of their side effects. For this reason, further diagnostic work-up is usually necessary and, where indicated, treatment should be initiated by a dermatologist with specialist training in allergology.

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