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Urticaria - Management
When should I refer someone with urticaria?
- Admit a person with urticaria and angio-oedema involving the airway and/or anaphylaxis. Start initial treatment with intramuscular adrenaline, if available.
- Refer to an immunologist or dermatologist when there is:
- Urticaria with angio-oedema not involving the airway.
- Acute urticaria which is severe and thought to be due to a food or latex allergy.
- Chronic persistent urticaria (usually lasting beyond 6 weeks) which is troublesome despite the use of antihistamines and avoidance of known trigger factors.
- Vasculitic urticaria: suspect if lesions are painful and persistent.
In depth
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