Urticaria and Its Types
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Urticaria and Its Types

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Questions and Answers

What defines wheals in the context of urticaria?

Wheals are pruritic, pink or pale swellings of the superficial dermis with an erythematous flare that come and go rapidly, typically within 24 hours.

How can urticaria present in a patient?

Urticaria may present with wheals, angioedema, or both.

What is the duration for acute urticaria?

Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks.

What is classified as chronic urticaria?

<p>Chronic urticaria is defined as urticaria lasting more than 6 weeks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of urticaria is triggered by exposure to cold?

<p>Cold urticaria is triggered by exposure to cold.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key diagnostic step in managing acute urticaria?

<p>The diagnosis of acute urticaria is usually clinical and does not typically require investigations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary symptoms of cholinergic urticaria?

<p>Cholinergic urticaria presents with small urticarial lesions after hot baths or exercise.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do medications like β-lactams play in urticaria?

<p>Medications such as β-lactams can induce acute urticaria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes urticaria from angioedema?

<p>Urticaria is characterized by wheals and itching, while angioedema involves deeper swelling of the skin and mucous membranes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can physical factors induce urticaria?

<p>Physical factors like cold, heat, pressure, or sunlight can trigger specific types of urticaria, leading to localized swelling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical timeframe for resolving individual wheals?

<p>Individual wheals typically resolve within 24 hours, although new wheals can appear during this time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main approach to diagnosing acute urticaria?

<p>The diagnosis of acute urticaria is typically clinical and does not usually require extensive investigations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways can chronic urticaria affect a patient's quality of life?

<p>Chronic urticaria can lead to significant discomfort and disability, affecting daily activities and psychological well-being.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some common triggers for cholinergic urticaria?

<p>Cholinergic urticaria is commonly triggered by hot baths, exercise, or any activity that induces sweating.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the wheals that occur in urticaria?

<p>Wheals in urticaria are pruritic swellings that are often surrounded by an erythematous flare and can vary in size.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does intermittent urticaria differ from chronic urticaria?

<p>Intermittent urticaria occurs with less than one attack per week, while chronic urticaria is defined as having attacks more frequently, lasting over six weeks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum duration for acute urticaria?

<p>Less than 6 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

Wheals in urticaria are permanent and do not resolve quickly.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one type of physical urticaria triggered by heat.

<p>Heat urticaria</p> Signup and view all the answers

Urticaria is characterized by pruritic, pink or pale swellings known as ____.

<p>wheals</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following types of urticaria with their triggers:

<p>Cold urticaria = Exposure to cold Cholinergic urticaria = Hot baths or exercise Solar urticaria = Exposure to the sun Pressure urticaria = Pressure on skin</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the hallmark feature of wheals?

<p>Erythematous flare around a central pallor</p> Signup and view all the answers

A diagnosis for acute urticaria typically requires extensive investigation.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition is classified when an individual has more than one attack of urticaria per week?

<p>Chronic urticaria</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Synonyms for Urticaria

  • Wheals, hives or nettle rash

Wheals

  • Pruritic, pink or pale swellings of the superficial dermis
  • Have an initial erythematous flare around them
  • Come and go rapidly, generally within 24 hours

Urticaria

  • Often used as a descriptive term for recurrent whealing of the skin
  • May present with wheals, angioedema, or both
  • Lesions may be a few millimeters in diameter or as large as a hand
  • Number of lesions can vary

Angioedema

  • If only angioedema presents, then it’s regarded as an angioedema case, not urticaria

Wheals

  • Can be small or large in size
  • Retain the classic central pallor and erythematous flare
  • Occasionally, edematous plaques are seen

Urticaria Types

  • Acute Urticaria (< 6 weeks)
    • Intermittent ≤ 1 attack/week

    • 1 attack/week

      • Causes include: beta lactams, opiates, NSIADs, etc.
  • Chronic Urticaria (> 6 weeks)

Physical Urticaria (Inducible)

  • Cold Urticaria: urticarial swelling of the hands, face, and elsewhere may occur after exposure to the cold
  • Heat Urticaria: A very rare type of physical urticaria induced by direct contact of the skin with heat
  • Pressure Urticaria: urticarial lesions develop hours after pressure on the skin
  • Solar Urticaria: urticarial lesions that develop a few minutes after exposure to the sun

Cholinergic Urticaria (Inducible)

  • Small urticarial lesions that develop after hot baths or exercise
  • Often associated with sweating
  • Relatively common disorder that could be disabling in some patients

Urticaria Management

  • Diagnosis is usually clinical
  • Investigations are not usually required in acute urticaria
  • Investigations are only sometimes required in chronic urticaria

Urticaria

  • Urticaria is known as Wheals, hives or nettle rash
  • Wheals are pruritic, pink or pale swellings of the superficial dermis that have an initial erythematous flare around them
  • Wheals come and go rapidly, generally within 24 hours.
  • Urticaria is often a descriptive term for recurrent whealing of the skin.
  • Urticaria may present with wheals, angioedema, or both.
  • Lesions may be a few millimeters in diameter or as large as a hand, and the number can vary from a few to numerous.
  • If there is only angioedema, then it's regarded as an angioedema case, not urticaria
  • Wheals can be small or large in size, but they still retain the classic central pallor and erythematous flare.

Urticaria Types

  • Acute Urticaria: lasts less than six weeks with one or more attacks per week
  • Chronic Urticaria: lasts longer than six weeks

Urticaria Causes

  • Physical Urticaria: induced by external factors
    • Cold Urticaria: urticarial swelling of the hands, face, and elsewhere may occur after exposure to the cold
    • Heat Urticaria: rare type of physical urticaria induced by direct contact of the skin with heat.
    • Pressure Urticaria: urticarial lesions develop hours after pressure on skin
    • Solar Urticaria: urticarial lesions that develop a few minutes after exposure to the sun.
  • Cholinergic Urticaria: induced by sweating
    • Small urticarial lesions that develop after hot baths or exercise (conditions that stimulate sweating)
    • Relatively common disorder that could be disabling in some patients.

Urticaria Management

  • Diagnosis is usually clinical
  • Investigations are not usually required in acute urticaria, and only a few are needed in chronic urticaria.

Urticaria

  • A skin condition characterized by itchy, red welts or hives, known as wheals.
  • Wheals are raised, temporary swellings that typically appear suddenly and disappear within 24 hours.
  • Urticaria can manifest as wheals, angioedema, or both.
  • Angioedema refers to swelling deeper in the skin that can affect the face, lips, and other areas.

Types of Urticaria

  • Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks.
  • Chronic urticaria persists for more than 6 weeks.
  • Physical urticaria is triggered by specific external stimuli:
    • Cold urticaria: triggered by exposure to cold.
    • Heat urticaria: triggered by exposure to heat.
    • Pressure urticaria: triggered by pressure applied to the skin.
    • Solar urticaria: triggered by sunlight exposure.
  • Cholinergic urticaria is triggered by heat-induced sweating, such as after exercise or a hot bath.

Causes of Urticaria

  • Acute urticaria causes may include:
    • Medication reactions: e.g., penicillin, NSAIDs.
    • Food allergies: e.g., shellfish, nuts.
    • Insect stings or bites.
    • Viral or bacterial infections.
  • Chronic urticaria often has an unknown cause, but potential triggers may include:
    • Autoimmune disorders.
    • Chronic infections.
    • Underlying medical conditions.

Urticaria Symptoms

  • Wheals are raised, red or pale welts with a central pallor.
  • Angioedema is swelling that can involve the face, lips, tongue, and other areas.
  • Itching is a common symptom.
  • Pain may occur in severe cases of angioedema.
  • Feeling unwell or feverish may be present.

Urticaria Diagnosis

  • Clinical diagnosis is often enough, based on the characteristic symptoms.
  • Investigations are typically unnecessary for acute urticaria, but may be considered for chronic cases.

Management of Urticaria

  • Avoid known triggers of urticaria.
  • Antihistamines are often used to relieve itching and reduce wheal formation.
  • Corticosteroids may be prescribed for more severe cases or for angioedema.
  • Immunotherapy is sometimes used in chronic cases to reduce the body's immune response.
  • Referral to a dermatologist may be recommended for persistent or severe cases.

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Description

Explore the different types of urticaria, including acute and chronic forms, as well as their characteristics like wheals and angioedema. This quiz covers definitions, symptoms, and causes associated with this skin condition. Test your knowledge on how to differentiate between various presentations of urticaria.

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