Urticaria

Urticaria is one of the most common dermatological and allergological cutaneous reactions and, compared to other diseases, it is easily recognized by patients and physicians alike. Nevertheless, the disease is highly complex regarding its eliciting causes, its clinical manifestations and its therapy. Thus, a famous New York dermatologist once mentioned that he would rather have a lion than a patient with chronic urticaria walk into his office. This may seem surprising since, to the uninitiated, different types of urticaria look alike, and the pathomechanisms are rather well understood, with mast cells being almost invariably the main effector cells. In 1986, a monograph of the first editor (Prof. Czarnetzki, now with the married name Henz) appeared, giving a detailed and thorough review of the then current state of knowledge regarding all aspects of the disease. Since then, two updates of this book have appeared in the German language, with coworkers of the clinic of Prof. Henz helping in the revision of the various chapters of the old monograph, and with particular emphasis on practical aspects of the disease. The present book is mainly a translation of the second German edition, with only minor updates and with more citations from the literature since the 1986 monograph is no longer available for purchase.

Practical guidelines to the clinical manifestations Illustrations of the clinical aspects Aids diagnosis by means of flow charts and numerous tables Practical lists of dietary and other therapeutic measures

Klappentext

The diverse clincal aspects, their correct diagnosis and successful treatment are a constant challenge to physicians in general practice as well as specialists in dermatology, pediatrics, allergolgoy and internal medicine. The present volume has been written as a practical guideline regarding general problems and specific as well as more unusual aspects of the disease complex. Theoretical background information has been omitted as far as possible. The individual chapters deal with aspects of acute and chronic urticaria, angiodema, physical urticaria, contact urticaria, intolerance reactions, urticarial vasculitis and mastocytosis.

Inhalt
1 The Spectrum of Urticaria.- 1.1 Historical Aspects.- 1.2 Definition and Classification.- 1.3 Pathogenesis.- 1.4 Epidemiology.- 1.5 Clinical Aspects.- 1.6 Clinical Aspects of Intolerance Reactions.- 2 Causes of Urticaria.- 2.1 General Aspects.- 2.2 Allergic Urticaria.- 2.3 Pseudoalleles.- 2.4 Infections and Infestations.- 2.5 Internal Diseases.- 2.6 Hormones and Hormonal Dysfunctions.- 2.7 Neurologic and Psychological Factors.- 2.8 Stinging Insects and Plants.- 3 Acute and Chronic Urticaria.- 3.1 Definition.- 3.2 General Aspects.- 3.3 Epidemiology.- 3.4 Acute Urticaria.- 3.5 Chronic Urticaria.- 4 Angioedema.- 4.1 Definition.- 4.2 Epidemiology.- 4.3 Clinical Manifestations.- 4.4 Course and Prognosis.- 4.5 Diagnosis.- 4.6 Differential Diagnosis.- 4.7 Therapy.- 5 Physical Urticaria.- 5.1 General Aspects.- 5.2 Dermographic Urticaria.- 5.3 Delayed Pressure Urticaria.- 5.4 Cold Urticaria.- 5.5 Heat Contact Urticaria.- 5.6 Solar Urticaria.- 6 Cholinergic Urticaria.- 6.1 Definition.- 6.2 Epidemiology.- 6.3 Clinical Manifestations.- 6.4 Associated Diseases.- 6.5 Diagnosis.- 6.6 Differential Diagnosis.- 6.7 Related Diseases.- 6.8 Therapy.- 7 Contact Urticaria.- 7.1 Definition.- 7.2 Epidemiology.- 7.3 Clinical Manifestations.- 7.4 Different Types of Contact Urticaria.- 7.5 Diagnosis.- 7.6 Differential Diagnosis.- 7.7 Associated Diseases.- 7.8 Therapy.- 7.9 Latex Allergy.- 7.10 AquagenicUrticaria.- 8 Urticarial Vasculitis Syndrome.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Epidemiology.- 8.3 Clinical Manifestation.- 8.4 Diagnosis.- 8.5 Associated Diseases.- 8.6 Differential Diagnosis.- 8.7 Therapy.- 9 Mastocytosis (Urticaria Pigmentosa).- 9.1 Definition.- 9.2 Epidemiology.- 9.3 Clinical Manifestations.- 9.4 Symptomatology.- 9.5 Histology.- 9.6 Laboratory Findings.- 9.7 Diagnosis.- 9.8 Prognosis.- 9.9 Therapy.- 10 Diagnosis of Urticaria.- 10.1 Practical Approach.- 10.2 Tests for Allergy.- 10.3 Diagnosis of Intolerance Reactions.- 10.4 Other Laboratory Tests.- 10.5 Differential Diagnosis.- 11 Urticaria Therapy.- 11.1 Basic Therapeutic Considerations.- 11.2 Treatment of Causes.- 11.3 Mast Cell-Directed Therapy.- 11.4 Therapy at the Target Organ.- 11.5 Prophylactic Therapy.- 11.6 Emergency Treatment.- A Urticaria Questionnaire.- B Urticaria Diary.- C Test Protocol: Physical Urticaria.- D1 Low Pseudoallergen Diet.- D2 Expansion of the Low Pseudoallergen Diet After Freedom of Symptoms Has Been Obtained.- E Low Pseudoallergen Diet Suggestions for Recipes.