Urticaria is a common clinical condition presenting with wheals (hives), angioedema, or both. Urticaria has a complex pathogenesis, along with a high disease burden, a significant impact on quality of life, and high health care costs. The first article in this continuing medical education series covers the definition, classification, epidemiology, diagnosis, and work-up of urticaria, taking into account the recent literature and the best available evidence.
Keywords: acute; angioedema; chronic physical urticaria; histopathology; hives; inducible urticaria; testing; urticaria; wheals.
Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.