Update on Urticaria and Angioedema

Kate Szymanski; Paul Schaefer

doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2023.08.004

Update on Urticaria and Angioedema

Med Clin North Am. 2024 Jul;108(4):687-702. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.08.004.

Authors

Kate Szymanski¹, Paul Schaefer²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Toledo Medical Center, 3333 Glendale Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614-2598, USA. Electronic address: kate.szymanski@utoledo.edu.
² Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Life Sciences at the University of Toledo Medical Center, 3333 Glendale Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614-2598, USA.

PMID: 38816111
DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.08.004

Abstract

Urticaria and angioedema are caused by immunoglobulin E- and non-immunoglobulin E-mediated release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators from mast cells and basophils. Diagnosis is made clinically, and anaphylaxis must be ruled out if urticaria or angioedema is present. A limited nonspecific laboratory workup should be considered unless elements of the history or physical examination suggest specific underlying conditions. The mainstay of treatment is avoidance of triggers when and if triggers are identified. The first-line pharmacotherapy is second-generation H1 antihistamines, which can be titrated to greater than standard doses.

Keywords: Acute urticaria; Angioedema; Antihistamines; Chronic urticaria.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Angioedema* / diagnosis
Angioedema* / etiology
Diagnosis, Differential
Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use
Humans
Urticaria* / diagnosis
Urticaria* / drug therapy
Urticaria* / etiology

Substances

Histamine H1 Antagonists