Urticaria multiforme: A commonly misdiagnosed entity

Abstract

Cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in paediatric age group have varied presentations. Urticaria multiforme is a characteristic morphologic type of self resoluting hypersensitivity reaction secondary to drugs or infections, characterised by acute onset annular, polycyclic wheals with ecchymotic centres. We present an eighteen month female and a 5 years male child who presented to us with itchy erythematous blanching annular wheals with dusky centre and were diagnosed as urticaria multiforme. It resolves completely with antihistamines and therefore need to be differentiated from severe reaction patterns.

Keywords

• urticaria multiforme
• hypersensitivity