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      Drugs & Diseases > Dermatology

      Urticaria Clinical Presentation

      Updated: Sep 16, 2020
      • Author: Henry K Wong, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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      Presentation

      History

      Urticarial wheals, commonly referred to as hives, are erythematous-to-pink swellings of various shapes and sizes, and classically have central pallor with an erythematous flare. Individual lesions come and go rapidly, although new lesions may develop simultaneously at other sites. [8, 13] In contrast, lesions of urticarial vasculitis last longer and leave pigmentary changes. Although lesions of urticarial vasculitis are historically described as lasting longer than 24 hours, more recent guidelines explain that lesions of urticarial vasculitis can sometimes be more evanescent and that the duration of lesions alone cannot be used to differentiate urticaria from urticarial vasculitis. Angioedema presents as ill-defined areas of nonpitting edema (swelling). [8]

      Information regarding history of previous urticaria and duration of rash and itching is useful for categorizing urticaria as acute, recurrent, or chronic.

      For chronic or recurrent urticaria, important considerations include previous causative factors and the effectiveness of various treatments. [2]

      Ask about precipitants, such as heat, cold, pressure, exercise, sunlight, emotional stress, or chronic medical conditions (eg, hyperthyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, amyloidosis, polycythemia vera, lymphoma and other malignant neoplasms).

      Ask about other medical conditions that can cause pruritus (usually without rash), such as diabetes mellitus, chronic renal insufficiency, primary biliary cirrhosis, or other nonurticarial dermatologic disorders (eg, eczema, contact dermatitis).

      Ask about family and personal medical history of angioedema, which is urticaria of the deeper tissues and can be life threatening if it involves the larynx and vocal cords. Causes specific to angioedema include hereditary angioedema (a deficiency in C1-inhibitors) and acquired angioedema (associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Hereditary angioedema is not associated with urticaria. Characteristics of angioedema include the following [1] :

      • Vasodilation and exudation of plasma into deeper tissues than is seen in simple urticaria

      • Swelling that is generally nonpitting and nonpruritic and usually occurs on the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory tract (lips, tongue, uvula, soft palate, and larynx) and GI tract (swelling of the intestine leading to severe abdominal pain)

      • Hoarseness, the earliest sign of laryngeal edema (Ask the patient if he or she has had a voice change.)

      For acute urticaria, ask about possible precipitants, such as the following [1] :

      • Recent illness (eg, fever, sore throat, cough, rhinorrhea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache)

      • Medication use including penicillins, cephalosporins, sulfas, diuretics, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), iodides, bromides, quinidine, chloroquine, vancomycin, isoniazid, antiepileptic agents, and other agents

      • Intravenous radiocontrast media

      • Travel (amebiasis, ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichinosis, malaria)

      • Foods (eg, shellfish, fish, eggs, cheese, chocolate, nuts, berries, tomatoes)

      • New perfumes, hair dyes, detergents, lotions, creams, or clothes

      • Exposure to new pets (dander), dust, mold, chemicals, or plants

      • Pregnancy (usually occurs in last trimester and typically resolves spontaneously soon after delivery)

      • Sun or cold exposure

      • Exercise

      Next:

      Physical Examination

      Urticaria is characterized by blanching, raised, palpable wheals (hives), which can be linear, annular (circular), or arcuate (serpiginous). These lesions occur on any skin area and are usually transient and migratory. These lesions are often separated by normal skin, but may coalesce rapidly to form large areas of erythematous, raised lesions that blanch with pressure.

      Dermographism may occur (urticarial lesions resulting from light scratching).

      The physical examination should focus on conditions that might precipitate urticaria or could be potentially life threatening, such as the following [1] :

      • Angioedema of the lips, tongue, or larynx

      • Individual urticarial lesions that are painful, long lasting (longer than 36-48 h), or are ecchymotic; also, urticarial lesions that leave residual hyperpigmentation or ecchymosis upon resolution (suggesting urticarial vasculitis)

      • The presence of systemic signs or symptoms, particularly fever, arthralgias, arthritis, weight changes, bone pain, or lymphadenopathy

      • Scleral icterus, hepatic enlargement, or tenderness that suggests hepatitis or cholestatic liver disease

      • Thyromegaly suggesting autoimmune thyroid disease; joint examination for any evidence of connective tissue disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

      • Lungs for pneumonia or bronchospasm (asthma)

      • Skin for evidence of bacterial or fungal infection

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