Urticaria and Angioedema

Abstract

Urticaria can be defined as the recurrent occurrence of erythematous plaque-like lesions on the skin. If these lesions occur in less than 6 weeks, it is called acute urticaria; if they persist for 6 weeks or longer, it is called chronic urticaria. Urticaria lesions are usually itchy and affect the daily life of the patient. Angioedema is swelling of the deep dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and/or submucosal tissue. Although angioedema without urticarial blisters is usually idiopathic, it is important to exclude a drug reaction or C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. In hereditary angioedema, there are recurrent episodes of angioedema without urticarial swellings. Urticaria is a worldwide disease that can be seen in all ages, genders, and races. The primary role in the formation of urticaria lesions is mast cells. In hereditary angioedema, activated factor XII and kallikrein catalyze the breakdown of high molecular weight kininogen with the release of bradykinin. Many factors may be responsible for the etiology of urticaria, but a specific cause cannot be found in general. In this chapter, the objective is to provide information on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, etiology, diagnosis, and treatments of urticaria, angioedema, and hereditary angioedema. © 2024 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.