Table 2 Distinguishing features of common urticaria and urticarial vasculitis [44]
Feature | Common urticaria | Urticarial vasculitis |
|---|---|---|
Description | Mainly pruritic | Painful, tender, burning, and/or pruritic |
Persistence | Between 8 and 24Â hours | Between 24 and 72Â hours |
Residual effects | None | Purpura or hyperpigmentation |
Predilection | • Trunk • Extremities • Face | • Trunk • Extremities • Face • Lateral borders of hands and feet |
Dermographism | Common | Rare |
Fixed lesions | No | Yes |
Common triggers | • Viral illness • Antibiotics • Immunizations | • Infections • Autoimmune processes • Neoplastic processes • Drugs |
Treatment | • Discontinue any new or unnecessary medications • Combinations of H1 and H2 antihistamines may be helpful • Systemic steroids can be helpful in severe cases | • Discontinue any new or unnecessary medications • H1 and H2 antihistamines for treatment of pruritus • NSAIDs for treatment of arthralgias • Systemic steroids with/without dapsone for treatment of moderate disease • Additional immunosuppressants, including mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, and cyclosporine A, for treatment of severe systemic disease |