Abstract
Chronic urticaria is defined as case of spontaneous wheals and/or angioedema persisting for a period of at least six weeks. The disease has an average duration of three to five years and is strongly associated with a decrease of quality of life and performance. Current international guidelines recommend the use of non-sedating antihistamines as the first choice in therapy and up-dosing these up to fourfold in cases of non-response. Alternative treatments for the afflicted who do not respond to antihistamine-treatment are also available but are not approved for use on urticaria.
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Disclosure
Dr. Zuberbier has served as a consultant for Ansell, Bayer Schering, DST, Fujisawa, HAL, Henkel, Kryolan, Leti, MSD, Novartis, Procter and Gamble, Sanofi-Aventis, Schering Plough, Stallergenes, and UCB; has served on a scientific advisory board for the German Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology; has served as head of the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF); has served on the Expert Commission “Novel Food” of the German Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection; has served as a committee member of the WHO-Initiative Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA); has served as a member of the World Allergy Organization Communications Council; and has served as secretary general of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN).
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Zuberbier, T. Chronic Urticaria. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 12, 267–272 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-012-0270-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-012-0270-7