Chronic Urticaria

Urticaria is one of the most common diseases in dermatology and allergy. Unlike many other diseases, the ? eeting nature of the wheals makes ? rst diagnosis by both patients and phy- cians in many cases easy. However, this only refers to the ordinary wheals. The disease itself is highly complex in nature, with variety of clinical manifestations ranging from pinpoi- sized wheals to extensive angiodema. Complexity is also seen in the diversity of possible eliciting factors, the many different clinical subtypes and the therapeutic responsiveness. Only in recent years has a better understanding of the diversity in the different subtypes led to new classi? cations and new evidence-based guidelines for diagnostics and mana- ment of the disease. While mast cells are in the center of most urticaria reactions, it is now clearly understood that the responsible mediators are not only limited to histamines. The current book appears in a series of books by Springer. In 1986, the ? rst monograph was edited by Professor Henz née Chanewsky. Since then, two updates of the book have appeared in the German language with Professor Henz as ? rst editor and T. Zuberbier, J. Grabbe, and E. Monroe as the co-editors of the most recent English version, published in 1998. All these books have been written as a joint effort of Professor Henz together with her team at the Department of Dermatology at the Virchow Clinic, Humboldt University, Berlin.

Contact urticaria syndrome was first defined in 1975 and since then scientific interest has steadily increased. New cases are continuously being reported furnishing information on novel clinical features. A large number of compounds could be responsible for triggering the syndrome including fragrances, cosmetics, latex, preservatives, flavorings, a

At age 18, Ben’s life took a dramatic turn when he developed cholinergic urticaria--a hives disorder that reacts to heat. Over the next decade, he struggled to find ways to manage the condition, often trying various remedies in the process. Eventually, his hives became so severe that he couldn’t even do basic day-to-day tasks. Any activity he engaged in would often result in an unbearable stinging and itching sensation that engulfed his body. He often struggled with depression and withdrew from most activities. However, by the grace of God, he eventually overcame his hives disorder. Ben wrote this book to educate people about the disorder, to encourage and motivate current sufferers, and to share what’s helped him overcome his own hives. The book contains the following chapters: Chapter 1: My Cholinergic Urticaria Story Chapter 2: What is Cholinergic Urticaria, Exactly? Chapter 3: Cholinergic Urticaria Signs and Symptoms Chapter 4: Cholinergic Urticaria Causes/Triggers Chapter 5: Cholinergic Urticaria Treatments Chapter 6: Other Diseases in Relation to Cholinergic Urticaria Chapter 7: Cholinergic Urticaria and Exercise Chapter 8: Cholinergic Urticaria and Diet Chapter 9: How I Cured My Cholinergic Urticaria Chapter 10: Getting Motivated and Staying Positive Chapter 11: A Few Words for Loved Ones Chapter 12: Thirty Days and 18 Steps to Improve Cholinergic Urticaria Final Words About Cholinergic Urticaria: Cholinergic urticaria is a type of hives characterized by a hypersensitive response in the skin due to an increase in body temperature, especially if the increase is enough to illicit a sweat response. It’s often referred to as “chronic heat hives,” and it can cause tremendous discomfort for those suffering with it. Symptoms of this type of physical hives can include a stinging, itching, and “prickling” sensation when the individual becomes warm. Hives and wheals may also develop. Some people have only itching and prickling symptoms, whereas others may have only actual hives (or anything in-between). This type of hives can be triggered by physical activity (exercise, strong emotions, laughing, etc.), or passive heating (taking a hot shower, walking into a hot room, standing in the hot sun, etc.).

This book contains the latest advances and scientific knowledge from the leading experts in urticaria and angioedema. The book consists of 15 chapters in which urticaria classification, urticaria etiopathogenesis, urticaria clinics, urticarial syndromes, angioedemas, diagnosis, pathogenesis and pathophysiology of urticaria, and treatment options are discussed. This book also emphasizes on the various laboratory tests necessary for urticarias. One chapter of the book is devoted to comorbidities in chronic spontaneous urticaria. Another chapter is related with pathophysiology and treatment of hereditary angioedema. We are grateful to all the contributors and leading experts for their valuable chapters, which provide an in-depth view of all aspects of the content, backed with the most current literature in the field. We hope that this book will provide interesting knowledge and serve as a comprehensive guide to many physicians dealing with urticaria and angioedemas in their clinical practice.

Urticaria is one of the most common diseases encountered in dermatology. The fleeting nature of wheals often makes a first diagnosis by both patients and physicians seem easy. The disease itself is of a highly complex nature, with a variety of clinical manifestations ranging from pinpoint sized wheals to extensive angioedema. Further complexities include the diversity of possible eliciting and aggravating factors, the many different clinical subtypes and the therapeutic responsiveness. This second, extensively revised edition includes the indications listed in the most recent international guidelines, provides a practical, comprehensive review of all clinical aspects and causes, and addresses the diagnosis and therapy of different types of urticaria. Specific chapters are devoted to classification, aetiopathogenesis, patient reported outcomes, acute urticaria, chronic urticaria and its comorbidities, angioedema without weals, inducible urticarias, special populations including children, treatment with antihistamines and omalizumab, other interventions and looking ahead to new therapies. This new edition is a must read for dermatologists, allergists, pediatricians and practitioners of all disciplines who want their patients to benefit from cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments.

Urticaria, commonly known as ‘hives’, is a skin rash which can have allergic and non-allergic causes. This handbook is an initiative of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCARE). Divided into 22 sections, the text begins with an overview of urticaria, its classification, and aetiopathogenesis. The next chapters describe different types of urticaria, diagnostic measures, and therapeutic management. The final sections examine urticaria in children, in the elderly, in pregnancy and lactation, and in kidney, liver and cardiac disease. A separate chapter covers patient education material. Authored by renowned worldwide experts, the text is further enhanced by clinical images, tables and figures to assist learning.

Urticaria is one of the most common dermatological and allergological cutaneous reactions and, compared to other diseases, it is easily recognized by patients and physicians alike. Nevertheless, the disease is highly complex regarding its eliciting causes, its clinical manifestations and its therapy. Thus, a famous New York dermatologist once mentioned that he would rather have a lion than a patient with chronic urticaria walk into his office. This may seem surprising since, to the uninitiated, different types of urticaria look alike, and the pathomechanisms are rather well understood, with mast cells being almost invariably the main effector cells. In 1986, a monograph of the first editor (Prof. Czarnetzki, now with the married name Henz) appeared, giving a detailed and thorough review of the then current state of knowledge regarding all aspects of the disease. Since then, two updates of this book have appeared in the German language, with coworkers of the clinic of Prof. Henz helping in the revision of the various chapters of the old monograph, and with particular emphasis on practical aspects of the disease. The present book is mainly a translation of the second German edition, with only minor updates and with more citations from the literature since the 1986 monograph is no longer available for purchase.

Urticaria is a vexing problem, to the patient who teachers who have stimulated my interest and helped suffers from the annoying pruritus and the fear oflife me to understand the basic and clinical aspects of mast threatening reactions, to the physician who faces the cell-related problems is long. I would like to specifi challenge to find the cause of the eruption and to cally mention J.N. Fink during medical school train control the symptomatology, and to the scientist who ing in Milwaukee, J.R. Pomeranz and R.W. Belcher is asked to explain the process that elicits tissue during dermatology residency in Cleveland, L.M. swelling at the cellular and molecular levels. Lichtenstein and P. Norman during a research fellow The last thorough treatise on urticaria was the ship at the Department of Clinical Immunology and superb monograph by R. P. Warin and R.H. Champion, Allergy at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and published more than a decade ago. Since then, there E. Macher at the University Clinics in Miinster where have been major advances in the field. This holds much of what I have learned in the past could be particularly for the clinical aspects of anaphylactoid broadened through further basic research and clinical reactions, the urticarial vasculitis syndrome, and the experience.