Acute Urticaria Differential Diagnoses

1. Zuberbier T, Iffländer J, Semmler C, Henz BM. Acute urticaria: clinical aspects and therapeutic responsiveness. Acta Derm Venereol. 1996 Jul. 76(4):295-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

2. Dibbern DA Jr. Urticaria: selected highlights and recent advances. Med Clin North Am. 2006 Jan. 90(1):187-209. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

3. Dibbern DA Jr, Dreskin SC. Urticaria and angioedema: an overview. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2004 May. 24(2):141-62, v. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

4. [Guideline] American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Consultation and referral guidelines citing the evidence: how the allergist-immunologist can help. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 Feb. 117(2 Suppl Consultation):S495-523. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

5. Zuberbier T, Abdul Latiff AH, Abuzakouk M, et al. The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria. Allergy. 2022 Mar. 77 (3):734-766. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

6. Frigas E, Park MA. Acute urticaria and angioedema: diagnostic and treatment considerations. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2009. 10(4):239-50. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

7. Hide M, Francis DM, Grattan CE, Hakimi J, Kochan JP, Greaves MW. Autoantibodies against the high-affinity IgE receptor as a cause of histamine release in chronic urticaria. N Engl J Med. 1993 Jun 3. 328(22):1599-604. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

8. Baek YS, Jeon J, Kim JH, Oh CH. Severity of acute and chronic urticaria correlates with D-dimer level, but not C-reactive protein or total IgE. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2014 Oct. 39 (7):795-800. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

9. Zuberbier T, Maurer M. Urticaria: current opinions about etiology, diagnosis and therapy. Acta Derm Venereol. 2007. 87(3):196-205. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

10. Kaplan AP, Joseph K, Maykut RJ, Geba GP, Zeldin RK. Treatment of chronic autoimmune urticaria with omalizumab. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 Sep. 122(3):569-73. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

11. Criado PR, Criado RF, Takakura CF, Pagliari C, de Carvalho JF, Sotto MN, et al. Ultrastructure of vascular permeability in urticaria. Isr Med Assoc J. 2013 Apr. 15(4):173-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

12. Viola M, Quaratino D, Gaeta F, Rumi G, Caruso C, Romano A. Cross-reactive reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Curr Pharm Des. 2008. 14(27):2826-32. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

13. Kalogeromitros D, Kempuraj D, Katsarou-Katsari A, Gregoriou S, Makris M, Boucher W, et al. Theophylline as "add-on" therapy in patients with delayed pressure urticaria: a prospective self-controlled study. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2005 Jul-Sep. 18(3):595-602. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

14. [Guideline] Magerl M, Borzova E, Giménez-Arnau A, Grattan CE, Lawlor F, Mathelier-Fusade P, et al. The definition and diagnostic testing of physical and cholinergic urticarias--EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/UNEV consensus panel recommendations. Allergy. 2009 Dec. 64(12):1715-21. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

15. Tong LJ, Balakrishnan G, Kochan JP, Kinét JP, Kaplan AP. Assessment of autoimmunity in patients with chronic urticaria. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 Apr. 99(4):461-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

16. Cardinale F, Mangini F, Berardi M, Sterpeta Loffredo M, Chinellato I, Dellino A, et al. [Intolerance to food additives: an update]. Minerva Pediatr. 2008 Dec. 60(6):1401-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

17. Sheikh J. Advances in the treatment of chronic urticaria. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2004 May. 24(2):317-34, vii-viii. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

18. Schuller DE. Acute urticaria in children: causes and an aggressive diagnostic approach. Postgrad Med. 1982 Aug. 72(2):179-85. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

19. Wedi B, Raap U, Wieczorek D, Kapp A. Urticaria and infections. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2009 Dec 1. 5(1):10. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

20. Kaplan AP. What the first 10,000 patients with chronic urticaria have taught me: a personal journey. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Mar. 123(3):713-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

21. Valsecchi R, Pigatto P. Chronic urticaria and Helicobacter pylori. Acta Derm Venereol. 1998 Nov. 78(6):440-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

22. Ozkaya-Bayazit E, Demir K, Ozgüroglu E, Kaymakoglu S, Ozarmagan G. Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with chronic urticaria. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Sep. 134(9):1165-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

23. Di Campli C, Gasbarrini A, Nucera E, Franceschi F, Ojetti V, Sanz Torre E, et al. Beneficial effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication on idiopathic chronic urticaria. Dig Dis Sci. 1998 Jun. 43(6):1226-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

24. Schnyder B, Helbling A, Pichler WJ. Chronic idiopathic urticaria: natural course and association with Helicobacter pylori infection. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1999 May. 119(1):60-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

25. Leznoff A, Josse RG, Denburg J, Dolovich J. Association of chronic urticaria and angioedema with thyroid autoimmunity. Arch Dermatol. 1983 Aug. 119(8):636-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

26. Rose RF, Bhushan M, King CM, Rhodes LE. Solar angioedema: an uncommonly recognized condition?. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2005 Oct. 21(5):226-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

27. Botto NC, Warshaw EM. Solar urticaria. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Dec. 59(6):909-20; quiz 921-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

28. Kaplan AP. Urticaria angioedema. Adkinson NFY Jr, Busse WW, Bochner BS, Holgate ST, Simons FER, eds. Allergy: Principles and Practice. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby; 2003. 1537-58.

29. Sackesen C, Sekerel BE, Orhan F, Kocabas CN, Tuncer A, Adalioglu G. The etiology of different forms of urticaria in childhood. Pediatr Dermatol. 2004 Mar-Apr. 21(2):102-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

30. Kaplan AP. Chronic urticaria and angioedema. N Engl J Med. 2002. Vol. 346:175-9.

31. Beltrani VS. Urticaria and angioedema. Dermatol Clin. 1996 Jan. 14(1):171-198. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

32. Soter NA. Acute and chronic urticaria and angioedema. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991 Jul. 25(1 Pt 2):146-54. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

33. Varadarajulu S. Urticaria and angioedema. Controlling acute episodes, coping with chronic cases. Postgrad Med. 2005 May. 117(5):25-31. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

34. O'Donnell BF, Lawlor F, Simpson J, Morgan M, Greaves MW. The impact of chronic urticaria on the quality of life. Br J Dermatol. 1997 Feb. 136(2):197-201. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

35. Davis MD, Brewer JD. Urticarial vasculitis and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis syndrome. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2004 May. 24(2):183-213, vi. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

36. Kaplan AP. Urticaria and angioedema. Middleton E, Reed CE, Ellis EF, et al, eds. Allergy: Principles and Practices. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby-Year Book; 1998. 1104-18.

37. Sheila MA, Stephen CD. Urticaria. Prim Care Clin Office Pract. 2008. Vol. 35:141-57.

38. Charlesworth EN. Urticaria and angioedema: a clinical spectrum. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Jun. 1996. 76(6):484-95.

39. Greaves M. Chronic urticaria. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 Apr. 105(4):664-72. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

40. Hirschmann JV, Lawlor F, English JS, Louback JB, Winkelmann RK, Greaves MW. Cholinergic urticaria. A clinical and histologic study. Arch Dermatol. 1987 Apr. 123(4):462-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

41. Wong RC, Fairley JA, Ellis CN. Dermographism: a review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1984 Oct. 11(4 Pt 1):643-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

42. Belani H, Gensler L, Bajpai U, Meinhardt E, Graf J, Pincus L, et al. Neutrophilic urticaria with systemic inflammation: a case series. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Apr 1. 149(4):453-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

43. Schoepke N, Doumoulakis G, Maurer M. Diagnosis of urticaria. Indian J Dermatol. 2013 May. 58(3):211-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

44. Beltrani VS. Urticaria: reassessed. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2004 May-Jun. 25(3):143-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

45. Mortureux P, Léauté-Labrèze C, Legrain-Lifermann V, Lamireau T, Sarlangue J, Taïeb A. Acute urticaria in infancy and early childhood: a prospective study. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Mar. 134(3):319-23. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

46. Irinyi B, Széles G, Gyimesi E, Tumpek J, Herédi E, Dimitrios G, et al. Clinical and laboratory examinations in the subgroups of chronic urticaria. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2007. 144(3):217-25. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

47. Brown NA, Carter JD. Urticarial vasculitis. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2007 Aug. 9(4):312-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

48. Haas N, Toppe E, Henz BM. Microscopic morphology of different types of urticaria. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Jan. 134(1):41-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

49. Slater JW, Zechnich AD, Haxby DG. Second-generation antihistamines: a comparative review. Drugs. 1999 Jan. 57(1):31-47. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

50. Breneman DL. Cetirizine versus hydroxyzine and placebo in chronic idiopathic urticaria. Ann Pharmacother. 1996 Oct. 30(10):1075-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

51. Bleehen SS, Thomas SE, Greaves MW, Newton J, Kennedy CT, Hindley F, et al. Cimetidine and chlorpheniramine in the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria: a multi-centre randomized double-blind study. Br J Dermatol. 1987 Jul. 117(1):81-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

52. Lin RY, Curry A, Pesola GR, Knight RJ, Lee HS, Bakalchuk L, et al. Improved outcomes in patients with acute allergic syndromes who are treated with combined H1 and H2 antagonists. Ann Emerg Med. 2000 Nov. 36(5):462-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

53. Pollack CV Jr, Romano TJ. Outpatient management of acute urticaria: the role of prednisone. Ann Emerg Med. 1995 Nov. 26(5):547-51. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

54. Bluestein HM, Hoover TA, Banerji AS, Camargo CA Jr, Reshef A, Herscu P. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema in a community hospital emergency department. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2009 Dec. 103(6):502-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

55. Grattan CE, O'Donnell BF, Francis DM, Niimi N, Barlow RJ, Seed PT, et al. Randomized double-blind study of cyclosporin in chronic 'idiopathic' urticaria. Br J Dermatol. 2000 Aug. 143(2):365-72. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

56. Vena GA, Cassano N, Colombo D, Peruzzi E, Pigatto P. Cyclosporine in chronic idiopathic urticaria: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Oct. 55(4):705-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

57. O'Donnell BF, Barr RM, Black AK, Francis DM, Kermani F, Niimi N, et al. Intravenous immunoglobulin in autoimmune chronic urticaria. Br J Dermatol. 1998 Jan. 138(1):101-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

58. Grattan CE, Francis DM, Slater NG, Barlow RJ, Greaves MW. Plasmapheresis for severe, unremitting, chronic urticaria. Lancet. 1992 May 2. 339(8801):1078-80. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

59. Werni R, Schwarz T, Gschnait F. Colchicine treatment of urticarial vasculitis. Dermatologica. 1986. 172(1):36-40. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

60. Ruzicka T, Goerz G. Systemic lupus erythematosus and vasculitic urticaria. Effect of dapsone and complement levels. Dermatologica. 1981. 162(3):203-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

61. Nettis E, Dambra P, D'Oronzio L, Loria MP, Ferrannini A, Tursi A. Comparison of montelukast and fexofenadine for chronic idiopathic urticaria. Arch Dermatol. 2001 Jan. 137(1):99-100. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

62. Asero R, Tedeschi A, Lorini M. Leukotriene receptor antagonists in chronic urticaria. Allergy. 2001 May. 56(5):456-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

63. Cooke A, Bulkhi A, Casale TB. Role of biologics in intractable urticaria. Biologics. 2015. 9:25-33. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

64. Wong JT, Nagy CS, Krinzman SJ, Maclean JA, Bloch KJ. Rapid oral challenge-desensitization for patients with aspirin-related urticaria-angioedema. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000 May. 105(5):997-1001. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

65. Grattan CE. Aspirin sensitivity and urticaria. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2003 Mar. 28(2):123-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

66. Díaz Jara M, Pérez Montero A, Gracia Bara MT, Cabrerizo S, Zapatero L, Martínez Molero MI. Allergic reactions due to ibuprofen in children. Pediatr Dermatol. 2001 Jan-Feb. 18(1):66-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

67. Lancey RA, Schaefer OP, McCormick MJ. Coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement with cold cardioplegia in a patient with cold-induced urticaria. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2004 Feb. 92(2):273-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

68. Simonart T, Askenasi R, Lheureux P. Particularities of urticaria seen in the emergency department. Eur J Emerg Med. 1994 Jun. 1(2):80-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

69. Simons FE. Anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Feb. 125(2 Suppl 2):S161-81. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

70. Najib U, Sheikh J. An update on acute and chronic urticaria for the primary care provider. Postgrad Med. 2009 Jan. 121(1):141-51. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

71. Poonawalla T, Kelly B. Urticaria : a review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2009. 10(1):9-21. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

72. Simons FE. H1-Antihistamines: more relevant than ever in the treatment of allergic disorders. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Oct. 112(4 Suppl):S42-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

73. Bains SN, Hsieh FH. Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of systemic mastocytosis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2010 Jan. 104(1):1-10; quiz 10-2, 41. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

74. [Guideline] Zuberbier T, Asero R, Bindslev-Jensen C, Walter Canonica G, Church MK, Giménez-Arnau A, et al. EAACI/GA(2)LEN/EDF/WAO guideline: definition, classification and diagnosis of urticaria. Allergy. 2009 Oct. 64(10):1417-26. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

75. Gober LM, Sterba PM, Eckman JA, Saini SS. Effect of anti-IgE (omalizumab) in chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008. 121(2 supp 1):S147. [Full Text].

Henry K Wong, MD, PhD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine

Henry K Wong, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas, Medical Dermatology Society, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Seattle Genetics, Actillion, Celgene, Kyowa-Kirin<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Amgen<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Celgene<br/>Received honoraria from Amgen for speaking and teaching; Received grant/ Received grant/research funds from Celgene for none; Received grant/research funds from Abbott Labs for independent contractor; Received grant/research funds from Amgen for none; Received honoraria from Seattle Genetics for consulting. for: Actelion-Advisory board, grants;Seattle Genetics - Advisory board.

Umer Najib, MD Clinical Research Fellow, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Michael A Kaliner, MD Clinical Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Institute for Asthma and Allergy

Michael A Kaliner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Thoracic Society, Association of American Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Javed Sheikh, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Clinical Director, Division of Allergy and Inflammation, Clinical Director, Center for Eosinophilic Disorders, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Javed Sheikh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Disclosure: Received grant/research funds from Genentech for other.

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; Abbott Honoraria Consulting; Electrical Optical Sciences Consulting fee Consulting; Celgene Honoraria Safety Monitoring Committee; GSK - Glaxo Smith Kline Consulting fee Consulting; TenXBioPharma Consulting fee Safety Monitoring Committee

Kevin P Connelly, DO Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center

Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Stephen C Dreskin, MD, PhD Professor of Medicine, Departments of Internal Medicine, Director of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Practice, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

Stephen C Dreskin, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Clinical Immunology Society, and Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Disclosure: Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; American Health Insurance Plans Consulting fee Consulting; Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Consulting fee Consulting; Array BioPharma Consulting fee Consulting

Dirk M Elston, MD Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Daniel J Hogan, MD Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine (Dermatology), Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Investigator, Hill Top Research, Florida Research Center

Daniel J Hogan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, and Canadian Dermatology Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Shih-Wen Huang, MD Professor Emeritus, Pulmonology and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics University of Florida College of Medicine

Shih-Wen Huang, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Harumi Jyonouchi, MD Associate Professor, Division of Pulmonary Allergy/Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School

Harumi Jyonouchi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Medical Association, Clinical Immunology Society, New York Academy of Sciences, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, Society for Mucosal Immunology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

What would you like to print?

• Print this section
• Print the entire contents of
• Print the entire contents of article