The general characteristics of acute urticaria attacks and the factors predictive of progression to chronic urticaria

Abstract

As NSAIDH and food allergy were associated with CU, their presence should be carefully evaluated in patients with AU in order to predict progression to CU.

NSAID‐induced urticaria/angioedema does not evolve into chronic urticaria: a 12‐year follow‐up study

“…However, CU has a variable clinical course, and the responsiveness to NSAIDs may show temporary fluctuations depending on the activity of the underlying chronic disease, being greater when the disease is active and less frequent when CU is under control . From 21% to 30% of patients with CU may develop cutaneous symptoms after the intake of a NSAID , and a large percentage of these patients may later tolerate NSAIDs after the CU disappears . The mechanism involved in the urticarial eruption seems to correlate well with the clinical status of the patient .…”

“…However, most studies on skin reactions induced by cross‐reactivity to NSAIDs have focused on reactivation of pre‐existing CU after intake of these drugs. NSAIDs exacerbate not only idiopathic CU , but also other types of urticaria, for example, cholinergic, types of physical urticaria, and exercise‐induced urticaria . NIUA has been considered an entity that evolves to CU in many patients .…”

The vicious cycle of itch and anxiety

“…In both cases, the retrospective degree of stress was significantly correlated with itch intensity. Similarly, most chronic urticaria patients reported a stressful life event within the six months preceding cutaneous symptoms (Berrino et al, 2006), and many patients identify stress as a trigger in the progression of acute urticaria to chronic urticaria (Comert et al, 2013). Stressful life events are also likely to occur in the months preceding the onset or worsening of pemphigus symptoms (Morell-Dubois et al, 2008).…”

Urticaria and angioedema

“…The most common causes of acute urticaria (with or without angioedema) are medications, foods, viral infections, stress, parasitic infections, insect venom, and contact allergens (e.g., latex) [ 9 ]. Medications known to commonly cause urticaria with or without angioedema include antibiotics (particularly beta lactams and sulfonamides), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), opiates and narcotics.…”