Urticaria and angioedema Flashcards
Key clinical components of urticaria?
Wheals lasts <24 hrs. They are pale to pink-red, edematous papules and plaques w/ central clearing that tend to be pruritic
What is the overlap b/w angioedema and wheals and urticaria?
Urticaria can have wheals, angioedema, or both
Clinical presentation of angioedema
ill-defined, deeper dermal and subQ +/- submucosal swelling. There is minimal to no overlying erythema. Lesions tend to be painful and pruritic and extracutaneous involvement can include the respiratory or GI systems
What is the pathogenesis of urticaria?
Pathogenesis mediated by the release of preformed and newly formed granules from mast cells -Preformed: histamine, heparin, chymase (tryptase) -Newly formed: PG, LT, PAF
What are some common mast-cell degranulating stimuli?
Immune-mediated: IgE against allergen (type I hypersensitivity) - Anti-IgE receptor and anti-FcεRI (chronic autoimmune urticaria) -Nonimmune-mediated: codeine, substance P, KIT ligand, C5a (anaphylatoxin) -Nettle stings -Medications: NSAIDs, ACEi
Definition of chronic urticaria?
Urticaria occurring for > 6 weeks
Describe acute urticaria?
M/c in children -Presents as large annular or polycyclic erythematous plaques (urticaria multiforme from dusky purple appearance) -Most common cause is idiopathic followed by URI
Describe chronic urticaria?
-M/c in adults (4th decade, W>M) -includes autoimmune form - a/w thyroid dz and celiac dz -Most common cause is idiopathic followed by inducible factors
Name and describe the 4 types of physical urticaria?
(i) mechanical stimuli: dermographism (affect 10% general population); delayed-pressure (wheals>24h; a/w arthralgias and malaise; sustained pressure to skin) (ii) temperature changes: cold (transition from cold->hot) >> heat-induced - use ice cube test (wheal on rewarming); idiopathic cause - <5% a/w cryoglobulins or cryofibrinogen (iii) physical exercise/sweating: cholinergic (body temp dependent)>adrenergic (blanched halo); exercise-induced anaphylaxis (not from increased body temp) (iv) solar (5-10 min exposure → UVA +/- visible light > UVB) and aquagenic (temp-independent)
Describe urticaria vasculitis?
The lesions tend to burn +/- painful, lasts >24h, purpura on resolution *commonly has extracutaneous sxs (arthralgias, abd pain, pulmonary dz, nephritis, uveitis)
Describe Schnitzler’s syndrome?
Associated with monoclonal gammopathy (IgM>>IgG) -Presents with fever, arthralgia, elevated ESR, LAN, leukocytosis
Describe Still’s disease?
Presents with fever (cyclic), pharyngitis, arthralgias, LAN, elevated ferritin
Serum-like sickness rxn?
Systemic drug reaction presents with fever, LAN, arthralgias, acral edema
Urticaria managment?
Do not get aggressive labs like allergy testing, other blood tests -eliminate modifiable causes -avoid NSAID’s, codeine products -trial of 2nd gen H1 antihistamines (cetirizine) can use up to 4x the standard dosing -Can consider using doxepin @ night, anticholinergic, do not use in glaucoma pts and those on MAOI -Can add H2 blocker -Omalizumab (anti-IgE mAb) for chronic autoimmune form
Desribe angioedema with no wheals?
*Pathogenesis - edema mediated by bradykinin NOT histamine (urticaria-angioedema) *Acquired vs hereditary* -Acquired: present later in life - a/w lymphoproliferative d/o (MGUS, lymphoma) - check C1q levels to differentiate from hereditary type I: a/w lymphoproliferative d/o type II: a/w autoimmune phenomenon → autoantibodies against C1-inh
Two types of angioedema w/ no wheals?
Type I: a/w lymphoproliferative d/o
Type II: a/w autoimmune phenomenon → autoantibodies against C1-inh
What are the 3 types of hereditary angioedema?
Type I: deficient C1 esterase inh (C1-inh), low C4 Type II: dysfunctional C1-inh, low C4 Type I and II both favor acral surfaces, GI system (acute abd), and larynx (laryngeal edema → airway compromise) *Type III: normal C4 levels; later-onset - affect face m/c and favor W>M
What medications are not effective in non urticarial angioedema?
Antihistamines, epinephrine, and steroids
What managment should be done for the non-urticarial angioedemas?
Short term: IV C-1 inhibitor Long-term: androgen (oral danazol)
What are the most common triggers of drug-induced immunologic urticaria?
Penicillins, cephalosporins, latex gloves or medical devices