Urticaria Flashcards
Aeitologies of urticaria
idiopathic
immunological (autoimmune, immune complex, allergic, complement)
Non immunological: direct mast cell releases, ACEI, aspirin, nsaids etc
Associations with urticaria
Thyroiditis, SLE, ?coeliac, H Pylori
Aggravating factors
URTIs, drugs e.g. salicylates, nsaids, ACEI, penicillin.
Pressure, overheating, premenstrual
Alcohol, stress, unrelated viral infections
tartrizine, azo dyes
T/F C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency and ACEI induced angioedema are due to mast cells
F - acei : kinins
T/F mast cells are responsible for autoinflamamtory syndromes
F - IL1 and 18 activated by caspase 1
H2 is responsible for itch, wheal, flare and erythema
F H2 for erythema and wheal only
What medication class may help in aspirin sensitive people?
leukotriene antagonists.
How are mast cells activated via immunological means?
linkage of 2 adjacent alpha subunits of IgE receptors of a mast cell
What type of hypersensitivy reaction is urticarial vasculitis
type III
How long does an IgE mediated urticaria last?
max 60 min
What are pseudoallergans
sensitization of the immune system is not involved, but clinically the same symptoms appear. e.g. aspirin, food additives, natural salicylate, contrast dye, muscle relaxants, plasma expanders
Non allergic causes of acute urticaria
histamine liberators (eg codeine, vancomycin)
Pseudoallergans eg aspirin, food additives
Alcohol
foods with vasoactivate amines: cheese, fish, tomatos, pineapple, avocados
Histamine from strawberries, scombroid fish
Tests for Chronic urticaria
FBC, ESR/CRP (increased in inflammatory syndromes, UV), thyroid abs and TFTs, ANA
Bx on wheal 12 hours old ?vasculitis
stool OCP
Consider: H pylori, strongyloides
consider pseudo allergen free diet for 2-3 weeks
?Anti-FceR(autoab to Fc receptor of IgE)
consider serum EPP, urine Bence jones - if fever, bony pain, raised CRP, neutrophils in bx.
Tests in acute
often none
maybe specific IgE, skin prick
URTI/bacterial screen
Q to ask re chronic urticaria
Can you induce the symptoms? Fever?Joint pain/malaise? Family hx? wheals last longer than 24 hours? Angioedema alone? Medications eg NSAID, ACEI
Treatment ladder for chronic urticaria
1st line = 2nd generation antihistamines. If persist > 2 weeks:
2nd line:Increase dose up to 4 x max
If persists after 1-4 weeks:
3rd line: omalizumab or cyclosporin A or montelukast
Can use short courses of CS if required.
Consider Doxepin or promethazine nocte
General measures: avoid overheating, stress, alcohol, drugs with potential to worsen e.g. codeine, aspirin, ACEI
1% menthol in aqueous
Other possibilitys: IVIg, plasmapheresis
Thyroxine in euthyroid with thyroid autoimmunity
nbUVB
Colchicine and dapsone if inflammatory infiltrate is neutrophil predominant
Tx of urticarial vasculitis
Dapsone, prednisone
How to use CsA in chronic urticaria
4mg/kg once daily 16 weeks.
helpful in about 2/3
How to use omalizumab
150-300mg sub cut every 4 weeks for 6/12
add on to antihistamines
keep in hospital to observe for 2-4 hours - risk of anaphylaxis
baseline platelets - risk of thrombocytopenia
Investigations if you suspect urticarial vasculitis
Bx DIF: vascular C3, fibrin and immunoglobulins
C3, C4, C1q, ANA, ENA, dsDNA, ANCAs
Hep B,C, HIV, EBV
serum EPP - schnitzlers if fever, bone pain, lymphadenopathy
due to risk of systemic involvement: ESR, Urinalysis
chest X-ray if symptomatic, RFTs
elfts
Important points on hx if you suspect UV
sx: burning, pain, how long they last, resolve with bruising? angioedema? fevers, malaise, bony pain abdo pain, nausea, vomiting Drugs e.g. cimetidine, diltiazem
In what % of patients does chronic urticaria last >5 years?
15%