Journal of Allergy & Therapy

Abstract

Angioedema Associated with Urticaria can be a Silent Killer

Sur Genel, Sur Lucia, Floca Emanuela, Sur Daniel and Samasca Gabriel

Urticaria and angioedema are common diseases in children and adults. Erythematous swelling of the deeper cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue is called angioedema. Urticaria is characterized as the appearance of erythematous, circumscribed, elevated, pruritic, edematous swelling of the upper dermal tissue. Urticaria may occur in any part of the body, whereas angioedema often involves face, extremities or genitalia. Urticaria is considered acute if symptoms are present for less than 6 weeks. In chronic urticaria symptoms are longer than 6 weeks. Acute urticaria has been reported to be the common type in childhood and chronic urticaria is more frequent in adults. Urticaria and angioedema are a frequent cause of emergency room visit but few patients need to be admitted. The basic mechanism involves the release of diverse vasoactive mediators that arise from the activation of cells or enzymatic pathways. Histamine is the best known of these substances, and response consisting of vasodilatation (erythema), increased vascular permeability (edema) and an axon reflex that increases reaction. The most common etiological factors for angioedema and urticaria have been identified as infection, physical urticaria, food allergy, drug adverse reaction, parasitic infestation and papular urticaria. The aim of this study is to define, describe and discuss etiology, diagnostic, treatment and severity.