ACUTE URTICARIA IN RELATION TO INFECTIONS

Key words: Urticaria, Infections, Erythema multiforme, Serum-sickness-like syndrome, Hypersensitivity, Antihistamines, Drug reactions

Acute urticaria related to infections is a benign manifestation in children, especially in infancy and early childhood. It typically happens at the same time or at the end of, or after, a viral infection. The eruption is self-limited, and episodes usually resolve within some days or few weeks; the presence of annular, polycyclic or geographic wheals are characteristic, and acral and facial angioedema and dermatographism are frequently observed. It is a very common disease; however, few reports concern this kind of urticaria and frequently they use different definitions as “acute annular urticaria”, “urticaria multiforme”, “acute urticaria of infancy and early childhood”, and more rarely as “infectious urticaria” or “urticaria in relation to infections”. The aim of this study was to review the literature available and shortly define the main clinical characteristics that differentiate this condition from other kinds of urticaria and from other reactions that can be misdiagnosed with it. A correct diagnosis may prevent unwarranted life-long dietary and drug restrictions and may reassure on the benign clinical course.