Chronic urticaria: an approach towards etiology and diagnosis. Part I

ABSTRACT

Chronic urticaria [CU] is one of the most frustrating and challenging dermatosis for patients and physicians both. Apparently easy to diagnose, CU is still considered as a difficult to manage disease. Subtypes of CU include chronic idiopathic [spontaneous] urticaria, inducible urticaria, physical urticaria, autoimmune chronic urticaria and urticarial vasculitis. Physical urticaria may coexist with chronic idiopathic [spontaneous] urticaria. Evaluation of a patient with CU should involve consideration of various possible causes, although in most cases the cause is not identifiable. Investigation of CU should be guided by a thorough history and physical examination.