Hives

Urticaria is an inflammatory skin disease that affects 20% of the world's population at some point in their lives. It occurs with wheals, angioedema, or both, due to the activation and degranulation of skin mast cells and the release of histamine and other mediators. Most cases of urticaria are acute urticaria lasting less than 6 weeks and may be associated with infections or ingestion of medications or food. Chronic urticaria (CU) is spontaneous or inducible and lasts longer than 6 weeks and usually persists for 1 year or more.

CU greatly affects the patient's quality of life and brings with it high healthcare costs along with accompanying psychiatric diseases.

! Current urticaria aims for complete response with a staged approach using second-generation H1 antihistamines, omalizumab and cyclosporine. As side effect profiles were evaluated, care alternatives were investigated and more positive results were encountered.

! New approaches focus on targeting mediators, signaling pathways, and receptors of mast cells and other immune cells. Further research focuses on defining disease endotypes and biomarkers, identifying new targets, and developing improved methods.