Getting to grips with Urticaria

Abstract

Urticaria is indeed a common dermatological affliction, which imparts a considerable degree of distress on the sufferer. Its clinical spectrum comprises urticarial wea ls (superficial dermal swellings), angio-oedema (deeper swellings), and the dreaded but fortunately rare anaphylaxis. Acute urticaria (lasting up to 6 weeks) is commoner in children, whereas chronic urticaria (which lasts anything from 6 weeks to several years) is commoner in adults. The underlying key patho- physiological event is the degranulation of mast cells and basophils, leading to the release of multiple mediators, the most important of which being histamine. Cellular degranulation may be triggered off either via an immunulogical process (IgE mediated) or directly (non- immunological). The released histamine binds to cutaneous histamine receptors producing the swelling, erythema, and itch. The aim of treatment is simply to suppress the symptoms until the disease process burns out.