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Urticaria - Background information
Complications
- In chronic urticaria:
- Daily living can be severely affected by distress, poor sleep (caused by itching), and social isolation (embarrassment) [Greaves and Sabroe, 1998]. One study showed the detrimental effect on quality of life to be comparable to people with coronary heart disease [O'Donnell et al, 1997].
- Depression may be present in up to 14% of people with chronic urticaria [Yosipovitch et al, 2002].
- Anaphylaxis is a rare complication sometimes seen with acute urticaria and physical urticaria. For more information, see the CKS topic on Angio-oedema and anaphylaxis.
- Angio-oedema can occur in up to 50% of people with chronic urticaria, and may lead to airway obstruction.
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