Hives (Urticaria)

Editor: V. Dimov, M.D., Allergist/Immunologist and Assistant Professor at University of Chicago

Information For Patients

Hives (urticaria) and angioedema
Allergic Skin Conditions
Allergy Testing
Anti-FceR1 Autoantibodies in Chronic Urticaria
Contact dermatitis
Eczema or atopic dermatitis



Chronic Urticaria Treatment Options (click to enlarge the image).



Laboratory Diagnosis of Chronic Urticaria (click to enlarge the image).



Anti-FceR1 autoantibodies in chronic autoimmune urticaria: IgG against FceRI (receptor for IgE) (click to enlarge the image).

What to expect when visiting an allergy clinic

Current allergy skin tests are virtually painless. This video by Dr. Bassett, a board-certified allergist from New York City, shows what to expect when visiting an allergy clinic for diagnosis and treatment:



Information For Doctors

Urticaria: Teaching Cases

Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (Hives)
Chronic Urticaria Due to Thyroid Antibodies
Urticaria after sexual activity and dermatographism
Pressure-related urticaria and angioedema
Neutrophilic Urticaria
Typical laboratory workup for chronic idiopathic urticaria and angioedema
Suspected progesterone allergy
Autologous serum skin test in chronic idiopathic urticaria
Acute urticaria (hives) due to allergy to terbinafine
Chronic Urticaria. Farid Farid, M.D. UCLA, Department of Medicine, 2002.
Blue Hives. NEJM Images in Clinical Medicine, 02/2008.
The Ice Cube Test: Cold-Induced Urticaria. NEJM Images in Clinical Medicine, 02/2008.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Urticaria and Angioedema - World Allergy Organization Journal 2012 update http://buff.ly/YBis2W

Therapeutic algorithm in chronic urticaria:



Related Reading

Urticaria: Brief Review
Mind Maps: Urticaria
Mnemonics: Urticaria
Urticaria and angioedema. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2011, 7(Suppl 1):S9.
Classification of urticaria: overview. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2011, 7(Suppl 1):S9.
A simplified, stepwise algorithm for the treatment of urticaria. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2011, 7(Suppl 1):S9.
A Summary of the New International EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO Guidelines in Urticaria http://1.usa.gov/10D3f2b
Cutaneous mastocytosis in a 3-month-old girl
Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS)
Blog articles from AllergyNotes

Image source: Urticaria, Wikipedia, public domain.

Published: 09/15/2007
Updated: 09/20/2013