Urticaria and angioedema

Acute urticaria with or without angioedema

The prognosis for patients with acute urticaria is excellent. The vast majority of patients respond well to therapy with nonsedating antihistamines, and the condition is short-lived.

Chronic urticaria with or without angioedema

Patients with chronic urticaria generally do well. Most patients can be managed with antihistamines alone; only a small subset of patients require additional treatment for control of symptoms.

Patients with inducible urticaria or urticarial vasculitis tend to have a more severe clinical course. Patients with concurrent disorders, such as autoimmune thyroiditis, may be more difficult to treat successfully and require concurrent therapy for the associated condition.

Spontaneous resolution of chronic urticaria may occur in up to 50% of patients within 1 year. By 5 years, 80% of patients will experience resolution of symptoms. However, patients whose chronic urticaria has resolved can still experience recurrence several years later.

Angioedema without urticaria

The prognosis for drug-induced angioedema after withdrawing the causative drug is excellent. The majority of cases involving acquired angioedema can be adequately controlled with daily doses of nonsedating antihistamines.

Hereditary angioedema is a more complex process and should be managed by a specialist.