Author:
Borzova Elena Yu,Grattan Clive H
Abstract
Urticaria is a common disorder with diverse clinical presentations. Correct recognition of the different clinical
patterns helps clinical assessment and treatment. The management of urticaria involves recognition of relevant
disease associations, treatment of any identifiable external causes including infection, avoidance of drug, food
and physical triggers and the appropriate use of pharmacological therapies. These can be divided into first, second and third line approaches. The choice of treatment will be influenced by many factors including drug
licensing, safety, pattern of disease, its severity, pharmacoeconomic considerations and patient preference. Possible
new therapeutic approaches on the horizon include new H1 antihistamines, H4 receptor antagonists, a histidine decarboxylase inhibitor under development and biological agents that target histamine - releasing
autoantibody production and function.