Urticaria and angioedema - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Urticaria is a skin condition characterized by erythematous, blanching, edematous, nonpainful, pruritic lesions that typically resolve within 24 hours and leave no residual markings.
Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks and is often due to a hypersensitivity reaction to a specific trigger. Underlying viral infections are also a common cause of acute urticaria, particularly in children. Acute urticaria is generally self-limited.
Chronic urticaria is characterized by daily or near-daily episodes of hives occurring for 6 weeks or more and has a complex etiology.
Angioedema is swelling involving the deeper layers of the subdermis and occurs in association with urticaria in about 40% of cases. It can also occur in the absence of urticaria.
Angioedema involving the face or neck can potentially compromise the airway and requires prompt airway management.

Typical lesions seen in acute or chronic urticaria

From the collection of Stephen Dreskin, MD, PhD

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History & Exam
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Typical lesions seen in acute or chronic urticaria
Angioedema of the lips in a patient who also has urticaria

Citations

Key Articles

Zuberbier T, Abdul Latiff AH, Abuzakouk M, et al. The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria. Allergy. 2022 Mar;77(3):734-66.[Abstract][Full Text]
Fine LM, Bernstein JA. Guideline of chronic urticaria beyond. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016 Sep;8(5):396-403.[Abstract][Full Text]
Powell RJ, Leech SC, Till S, et al. BSACI guideline for the management of chronic urticaria and angioedema. Clin Exp Allergy. 2015;45:547-565.[Abstract][Full Text]
Maurer M, Magerl M, Betschel S, et al. The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema-The 2021 revision and update. Allergy. 2022 Jul;77(7):1961-90.[Abstract][Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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