title: Urticarial Dermatitis: Clinical Characteristics of Itch and Therapeutic Response to Cyclosporine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urticarial dermatitis, which is characterised by persistent wheals with eczematous papules and plaques, is frequently misdiagnosed and difficult to treat. Patients commonly experience intolerable pruritus which may greatly affect their quality of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to characterize the clinical patterns of pruritus in patients with urticarial dermatitis and to determine the effectiveness of cyclosporine treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 50 histopathologically confirmed patients with urticarial dermatitis. A face-to-face structured questionnaire was given to all patients, and they were treated with low-dose cyclosporine (1~3 mg/kg/d) for at least 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients (80.0%) had moderate to severe pruritus. Most patients experienced exacerbation of the itch in the evening (74.0%), with the extremities (upper, 86.0%; lower, 94.0%) being the most commonly involved sites. Due to severe pruritus, patients complained about reduced social contact, quality of life and difficulties in falling asleep et al. Cyclosporine significantly reduced the mean itch score and extent of erythema, and improved interference with daily activities and sleep.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study highlights the detailed description and characteristics of pruritus in patients with urticarial dermatitis. And we recommend alternative and effective therapeutic option of low-dose cyclosporine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Depeartment of Nursing Science, Choonhae College of Health Sciences, Ulsan, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hoon-Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.; Bio-Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon-Bum
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.; Bio-Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung-Soo
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Cyclosporine; Pruritus; Urticarial dermatitis