Urticaria
Urticaria is characterized by WEALS (hives) or ANGIOEDEMA (swellings, in 10%) or both (in 40%). There are several types of urticaria Spontaneous urticaria Acute spontaneous urticaria Spontaneous wheals and/or angioedema <6 />6 wk Urticarias induced by physical agents dermographic urticaria Eliciting factor: mechanical shearing forces (wheals arising after 1–5 min) Cold contact urticaria Eliciting factor: cold objects/air/fluids/wind Solar urticaria Eliciting factor: UV and/or visible light Delayed pressure urticaria Eliciting factor: vertical pressure (wheals arising with a 3–12 h latency) Heat contact urticaria Eliciting factor: localized heat Hot water bottle Hot drink Vibratory urticaria/angioedema Eliciting factor: vibratory forces, e.g. pneumatic hammer/Jack hammer Other inducible urticarias Contact urticaria Elicitation by contact with urticariogenic substance Aquagenic urticaria Eliciting factor: water Cholinergic urticaria Elicitation by increase of body core temperature due to physical exercises, spicy food, stress Exercise-induced anaphylaxis/urticaria Eliciting factor: physical exercise
