Clinical and Molecular Allergy (May 2020)

Urticaria: recommendations from the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma and Clinical Immunology and the Italian Society of Allergological, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology

  • Eustachio Nettis,
  • Caterina Foti,
  • Marina Ambrifi,
  • Ilaria Baiardini,
  • Leonardo Bianchi,
  • Alessandro Borghi,
  • Marco Caminati,
  • Giorgio Walter Canonica,
  • Marco Casciaro,
  • Laura Colli,
  • Giselda Colombo,
  • Monica Corazza,
  • Antonio Cristaudo,
  • Giulia De Feo,
  • Ornella De Pita’,
  • Mario Di Gioacchino,
  • Elisabetta Di Leo,
  • Filippo Fassio,
  • Sebastiano Gangemi,
  • Alessia Gatta,
  • Katharina Hansel,
  • Enrico Heffler,
  • Cristoforo Incorvaia,
  • Maddalena Napolitano,
  • Cataldo Patruno,
  • Silvia Peveri,
  • Paolo Daniele Pigatto,
  • Cristina Quecchia,
  • Anna Radice,
  • Giuseppe Alvise Ramirez,
  • Paolo Romita,
  • Franco Rongioletti,
  • Oliviero Rossi,
  • Eleonora Savi,
  • Gianenrico Senna,
  • Massimo Triggiani,
  • Myriam Zucca,
  • Enrico Maggi,
  • Luca Stingeni

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12948-020-00123-8
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 1
pp. 1 – 19

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background Urticaria is a disorder affecting skin and mucosal tissues characterized by the occurrence of wheals, angioedema or both, the latter defining the urticaria-angioedema syndrome. It is estimated that 12–22% of the general population has suffered at least one subtype of urticaria during life, but only a small percentage (estimated at 7.6–16%) has acute urticaria, because it is usually self-limited and resolves spontaneously without requiring medical attention. This makes likely that its incidence is underestimated. The epidemiological data currently available on chronic urticaria in many cases are deeply discordant and not univocal, but a recent Italian study, based on the consultation of a national registry, reports a prevalence of chronic spontaneous urticaria of 0.02% to 0.4% and an incidence of 0.1–1.5 cases/1000 inhabitants/year. Methods We reviewed the recent international guidelines about urticaria and we described a methodologic approach based on classification, pathophysiology, impact on quality of life, diagnosis and prognosis, differential diagnosis and management of all the types of urticaria. Conclusions The aim of the present document from the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC) and the Italian Society of Allergological, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (SIDAPA) is to provide updated information to all physicians involved in diagnosis and management of urticaria and angioedema.

Keywords