Contact Urticaria Syndrome Medication

  • Author: Saqib Bashir, MB, ChB, MD, MRCP; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 11, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Depending on the ubiquity of the allergen, patients with immunologic contact urticaria may be advised to carry antihistamines and self-administered epinephrine.

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Antihistamines

Class Summary

These agents act by competitive inhibition of histamine at the H1 receptor.

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Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Belix)

 

For symptomatic relief of urticaria symptoms caused by the release of histamine in allergic reactions.

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Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)

 

Antagonizes H1 receptors in periphery. May suppress histamine activity in subcortical region of CNS.

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Loratadine (Claritin)

 

Selectively inhibits peripheral histamine H1 receptors.

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Desloratadine (Clarinex)

 

Long-acting tricyclic histamine antagonist selective for H1 receptor. A major metabolite of loratadine, which after ingestion is extensively metabolized to active metabolite 3-hydroxydesloratadine.

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Vasopressors

Class Summary

Epinephrine is the DOC for treating anaphylactoid reactions.

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Epinephrine (EpiPen, Adrenaline)

 

Has alpha agonist effects that include increased peripheral vascular resistance, reversed peripheral vasodilatation, systemic hypotension, and vascular permeability. Beta-agonist effects of epinephrine include bronchodilatation, chronotropic cardiac activity, and positive inotropic effects.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Saqib Bashir, MB, ChB, MD, MRCP  Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon, King's College Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, UK; Research Fellow, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Saqib Bashir, MB, ChB, MD, MRCP is a member of the following medical societies: British Association of Dermatologists, British Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Howard I Maibach, MD  Professor and Vice Chairperson, Department of Dermatology, University of California School of Medicine at San Francisco; Consulting Staff, University of California Hospitals

Howard I Maibach, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Forensic Examiners, American College of Physicians, American Contact Dermatitis Society, American Dermatological Association, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, California Medical Association, Pacific Dermatologic Association, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Donald Belsito, MD  Professor of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Medical Center

Donald Belsito, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, Dermatology Foundation, New York County Medical Society, New York Dermatological Society, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey P Callen, MD  Professor of Medicine (Dermatology), Chief, Division of Dermatology, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Jeffrey P Callen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Celgene Honoraria Safety Monitoring Committee

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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