ABSTRACT

Urticaria is a disease characterised by intensely itchy weals, angio-oedema or both. Urticaria and angioedema occur in up to 25-30 percent of the population. Although serious medical illness can occur concurrently with chronic urticaria, acute urticaria generally is benign and self-limited. A detailed investigation is made, especially if symptoms are chronic or minimally responsive to therapy. The mainstay of therapy for urticaria is avoidance of known triggering agents, judicious use of oral corticosteroids, and treatment with long-acting second-generation antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists, cyclosporine and omalizumab.