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Urticaria - Management
What assessment do I need to make for recurrent or persistent urticaria?
- Assess the severity of symptoms and their impact on daily living and psychological well-being.
- Although it is not always possible, try to identify the underlying cause using a detailed history and examination.
- Consider the following investigations to determine a possible cause: full blood count (FBC), stool sample, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), thyroid function tests (TFTs, including autoantibodies), and liver function tests (LFTs) and Helicobacter pylori screening if gastrointestinal symptoms are present.
- Identify any ongoing trigger factors such as stress, alcohol, foods, and medication.
- Consider referring people to an immunologist or dermatologist, depending on local policy.
In depth
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