title: Urticaria and angioedema.
abstract: Urticaria, also known as hives, and angioedema, where the swelling occurs below the skin instead of on the skin, are extremely common but there is a misconception that the most likely cause is an allergic reaction. Chronic urticaria in particular is rarely due to allergy. Equally for angioedema, many will consider the exceptionally rare hereditary angioedema (HAE), but in fact other medical causes are the most likely, in particular the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) drugs. Approximately 3-5% of patients receiving ACE-I will develop angioedema at some time in the course of their treatment.1 Stress is a major contributor to both chronic urticaria and recurrent angioedema. Treatment needs to focus on the use of long-acting, non-sedating, antihistamines. Corticosteroids may be used acutely but not long term.
authors.affiliation: G Spickett Regional Department of Immunology Royal Victoria Infirmary Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 4LP, UK tel +44 (0)191 282 5517 e-mail Gavin.Spickett@nuth.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spickett
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000799:Angioedema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014581:Urticaria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
keywords: C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency; Urticaria,; angioedema; antihistamines; mastocytosis