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Query: UMLS:C0042109 (urticaria)
 6,569 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Urticaria is one of the most frequent skin disorders. Whereas for the acute form a cause is usually found, the aetiology of chronic urticaria often remains obscure. Infectious or autoimmune origin are presumed aetiologies, whereas trigger factors such as pressure, cold or food additives often induce an urticarial episode. In this study, we investigated the significance of laboratory and supplementary analysis in relation to the aetiology and classification of chronic urticaria. We also looked at a correlation of trigger factors with the aetiology and course of chronic urticaria. Out of 170 patients with chronic urticaria referred to our outpatient allergy clinic within 3 1/4 years, 95 were female (56%) and 75 male (44%). The average age was 37 years. Based on history and clinical signs, laboratory, allergo-immunological, stool and urine samples were performed, as well as allergological skin and physical tests. Of the laboratory parameters, total leukocyte count, C-reactive protein (CRP) and alanine-amino-transferase (ALAT) were the findings most often out of the normal range. In 25% (43/170) chronic urticaria could be attributed to a possible cause (infection [15%], autoimmunity [8%], allergy [1%], urticaria pigmentosa [1%]). Trigger factors were found in 84/170 (49%) patients (physical [29%], pseudoallergic [12%], combination of both [8%]). Follow-up after an average of 22.3 months revealed that 84 patients (63%) no longer suffered from urticarial disorders, while 49 (37%) still complained of hives. In conclusion, laboratory and supplementary investigations were rarely helpful in identifying aetiologic agents, although in 25% chronic urticaria was classified. Trigger factors are not of predictive value either for aetiology or course of chronic urticaria. However, the longer chronic urticaria lasts, the rarer are remissions. In younger patients, chronic urticaria tends to last less long than in elderly persons.
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PMID:[Importance of laboratory investigations and trigger factors in chronic urticaria]. 1051 82

In order to observe the therapeutic effects of acupuncture plus point-injection for obstinate urticaria, 64 cases of obstinate urticaria were randomly divided into the following two groups. 32 cases in the treatment group were treated with acupuncture at the points of Quchi (LI11), Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Fengchi (GB20) plus point-injection at the points of Zusanli (ST36) and Quchi (LI11). 32 cases in the control group were treated with antihistamines (such as Acrivastine, Cinnarizine or Ranitidine). The results showed that the therapeutic effect in the treatment group was obviously better than that in the control group (P < 0.05), with a much lower relapse rate in the former than that in the latter (P < 0.01).
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PMID:Acupuncture plus point-injection for 32 cases of obstinate urticaria. 1670 47

Adrenergic urticaria is a rare type of stress-induced physical urticaria characterized by transient outbreaks of red papules surrounded by halos of hypopigmented, vasoconstricted skin. First described in 1985, there are 10 reported cases of adrenergic urticaria in the English-language medical literature. Episodes are caused by various triggers, including emotional upset, coffee, and chocolate, during which serum catecholamines and IgE are elevated, whereas histamine and serotonin levels remain within normal limits. The precise mechanisms leading to the pathogenesis of adrenergic urticaria have yet to be elucidated. Diagnosis can be made by intradermal injection of epinephrine or norepinephrine, which reproduces the characteristic rash, or by clinical observation. Trigger avoidance and oral propranolol are currently the best known treatments for adrenergic urticaria. Nonspecific therapies, including tranquilizers and antihistamines, may also ease symptoms. This article explores the pathophysiology of adrenergic urticaria and proposes a mechanism by which propranolol treats the condition.
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PMID:Adrenergic urticaria: review of the literature and proposed mechanism. 2437 76