Urticaria & Angioedema

Urticaria

Urticaria, also known as “hives” or “welts,” is a fleeting, itchy, red, raised rash with a mosquito bite like appearance.

Causes of or associations to urticaria include:

Allergy (food, medication, insect sting, latex, other)
Medications via a Non-Allergenic Mechanism
Infection
Physical Stimuli (pressure, exercise, cold, heat, vibration, solar and others)
Hormonal
Cancer
Autoimmunity

If urticaria persists for > 6 weeks, it is considered chronic. In such cases, allergic causes including food allergy are unlikely. Frequently, no cause is found in cases of chronic urticaria, prompting a diagnosis of idiopathic urticaria (arises spontaneously without known cause). It is speculated that in some patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, underlying autoimmunity and formation/binding of antibodies to allergy cell receptors and allergy antibodies result in the development of urticaria.

Allergists are considered the experts in urticaria and diagnose this condition by history and exam.

The goals of treatment are to prevent itching and the development rash.

Treatment varies depending on the cause(s), but commonly includes the use of anti-histamines.

By visiting an Allergist, you too can take control of your urticaria and improve your quality of life.

Angioedema

Angioedema is similar to urticaria, but is characterized by swelling in the lower dermal layer of skin.

Common locations of angioedema include:

Eyelids
Lip
Tongue
Throat
Hands
Feet
Genitals

Causes of angioedema include:

Allergy (food, medication, insect sting, latex, other)
Medication
Hereditary
Acquired
Eosinophilic
Idiopathic

In both allergic and idiopathic angioedema, a fraction of individuals will experience concomitant urticaria.

Allergists are the experts in angioedema and diagnose this condition by history, exam and tests.

Treatment options are varied and depend on the cause.

By visiting an Allergist, you too can take control of your angioedema and improve your quality of life.

Conditions Treated

Allergy Shots

Allergy immunotherapy, also called “allergy shots,” is prescribed to modify the immune system’s response to allergens with the goal of minimizing and/or preventing an allergen initiated inflammatory response.
Allergy Drops & Tablets

Allergy drops, and tablets are two forms of sublingual immunotherapy that are injection-free alternatives to allergy shots. Both contain environmental allergen such as pollen, dust mites, molds, cat, or dog.
Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung condition that usually starts in childhood but can occur at any age. Allergists are considered the experts in asthma and diagnose this condition by history, exam and breathing tests of the airways.
Allergy & Sinus

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic conditions in the US. Individuals with allergic rhinitis develop allergy antibodies (IgE) targeted against allergens including pollen, animal proteins, dust mites, mold, and insect droppings.
Food Allergy

Food allergy affects 5% of children and 4% of adults in the United States and is defined as an adverse health event that is immune mediated and occurs reproducibly. Individuals with IgE mediated food allergy develop allergy antibodies (IgE) targeted against food allergens.
Allergic Rashes

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disorder that usually starts at age < 5 years. It is characterized by itchy skin that becomes inflamed with scratching. For this reason, atopic dermatitis is known as the “itch that rashes.”
Other Conditions