T. Trupej
Zdravstveni dom Velenje, Velenje, Slovenija

M. Zajc Avramovič
Služba za alergologijo, revmatologijo in klinično imunologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

A. Koren Jeverica
Služba za alergologijo, revmatologijo in klinično imunologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

T. Vesel Tajnšek
Služba za alergologijo, revmatologijo in klinično imunologijo, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

Urticaria is a common skin condition that can decrease the quality of life and may affect a child’s activities. Quick remission is common in the majority of children with acute urticaria. Chronic urticaria presents less frequently in children. Urticaria is characterised by a typical wheal and flair skin rash, with or without concomitant angioedema. Histamine, released from basophils and mast cells, is an important mediator of urticaria and angioedema. In this article, urticaria is defined and classified, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors, and pathophysiological mechanisms. In addition, the evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticarial are outlined.

Key words: wheal, urticaria, angioedema, children.