Evaluation of urticaria

Last reviewed: 3 Apr 2025
Last updated: 16 Feb 2024

Summary

Differentials

Common

  • Acute spontaneous urticaria
  • Chronic spontaneous urticaria
  • Chronic inducible (physical) urticaria
  • Drug eruptions
  • Insect bite
  • Viral exanthem
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Allergic contact dermatitis
  • Irritant contact dermatitis
Full details

Uncommon

  • Erythema multiforme
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • Auriculotemporal syndrome
  • Bullous pemphigoid
  • Cutaneous mastocytosis
  • Systemic mastocytosis
  • Mast cell activation syndrome
  • Urticarial vasculitis
  • Transfusion reactions
  • Serum sickness
  • Cold-induced urticaria, Muckle-Wells syndrome, neonatal multisystem inflammatory disease
  • Anaphylaxis
Full details

Contributors

Authors

Marilyn Li, MD

Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Clinician Educator

Director, Quality Improvement and Educational Activities For The Breathmobile Program

Keck School of Medicine, USC

Los Angeles

CA

Disclosures

ML is an unpaid board member of the California Society of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (CSAAI). ML has created CME content on asthma, anaphylaxis, and immunotherapy.

Kenny Y.C. Kwong, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Division of Allergy-Immunology

Los Angeles General Medical Center

Los Angeles

CA

Disclosures

KYCK is a consultant and independent contractor for Thermo-Fisher Scientific Immunodiagnostics Division (Phadia).

Acknowledgements

Dr Marilyn Li and Dr Kenny Y.C. Kwong would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Nanette Silverberg, and Dr Mary Lee-Wong, previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

NS and MLW declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Christopher Parrish, MD

Assistant Professor

Pediatrics and Internal Medicine

Division of Allergy and Immunology

UT Southwestern

TX

Disclosures

CP declares that he has no competing interests.

Amor Kachamoune, MD

Assistant Professor

New York University School of Medicine

New York

NY

Disclosures

AK declares that he has no competing interests.

Bettina Wedi, MD

Professor

Head of Allergy Division

Department of Dermatology and Allergy

Hannover Medical School

Hannover

Germany

Disclosures

BW declares that she has no competing interests.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Bernstein JA, Lang DM, Khan DA, et al. The diagnosis and management of acute and chronic urticaria: 2014 update. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014 May;133(5):1270-7. Abstract

European Dermatology Forum. The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria. Sep 2021 [internet publication].Full text

Sabroe RA, Lawlor F, Grattan CEH, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with chronic urticaria 2021. Br J Dermatol. 2022 Mar;186(3):398-413.Full text  Abstract

Moellman JJ, Bernstein JA, Lindsell C, et al. A consensus parameter for the evaluation and management of angioedema in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med. 2014 Apr;21(4):469-84.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer