Diagnostics of urticaria

A detailed history plays a major role in the diagnostic program of urticaria. Subtype and potential triggering factors should be carefully delimited. Further diagnostic procedures depend on the urticaria subtype. Whereas in acute urticaria routine diagnostics are not recommended, in chronic urticaria a targeted diagnostic program considering associated infections, autoreactivity and non-allergic hypersensitivity reactions is often successful. In physical urticarias standardized physical tests should be performed. Special factors should be considered in the case of isolated angioedema without whealing and in childhood urticaria. In most cases a targeted diagnostic program leads to the identification of potential triggering factors, and after their adequate elimination longlasting urticaria, impairing life quality, disappears or improves within several weeks.