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Back to Dermatology Diseases
Urticaria - Agioedema
Urticaria is a skin reaction characterized by red wheals. When deep dermal and subcutaneous
tissues are also swollen, this reaction is known as angioedema.
Angioedema may involve mucous membranes and may be part of a
life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Symptoms and clinical manifestations
Urticarial lesions are characteristically pruritic, red wheals.
Lesions may vary from a small point to a large area. Individual
lesions rarely last more than 24 h. Urticarial lesions, along with
pruritus and morbilliform (or maculopapular) eruptions, are among the
most frequent types of cutaneous reactions to drugs. Angioedema can be
life threatening especially when edema involves the larynx.
Treatment
The treatment of urticaria or angioedema depends on the severity of
the reaction and the rate at which it is evolving. In severe cases,
especially with respiratory or cardiovascular compromise, epinephrine
is the mainstay of therapy, but its effect is reduced in patients
using beta blockers. For more seriously affected patients, treatment
with systemic glucocorticoids, sometimes intravenously administered,
are helpful.
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