Acute Urticaria

Acute urticaria is defined as the spontaneous appearance of wheals, angioedema, or both which lasts no more than 6 weeks. The patients typically present hives only which helps to differentiate from other diseases where whealing may occur. While the lifetime prevalence has been reported to be high, spontaneous resolve has been seen in the majority of patients in the first 3 weeks after onset. Multiple triggers have been described, beside viral infections, which are the most common trigger, food and drugs may play a eliciting role. Diagnosis relies on clinical features and patient history. Unless suspicion arises (e.g. intake of drugs), further diagnostic evaluations are not necessary or recommended. Treatment recommendations include non-sedating antihistamines as first choice, dosage can be increased if the desired effect is not obtained. An initial short course of corticosteroids (50 mg prednisolone per day) may shorten the duration.