[Urticaria and Quincke's edema]

The urticaria is a common skin disease, characterized by evanescent, pruritic, erythematous and oedematous wheals and sometimes by giant hives (angio-edema). Its pathogenesis is related to the activation of tissue mast cells by many immunologic or non-immunologic mechanisms, resulting in a release of biologically active products. The cause of chronic urticaria remains unknown in 75 to 80% of the cases. This form is rare in childhood. More of 50% of children with acute urticaria are atopic with preexisting dermatitis of pollinosis. A papular urticaria (prurigo strophulus), an urticaria pigmentosa, and, in case of angioedema, the hereditary form due to functional inactivity of the C1-inhibitor must be excluded. The therapeutic possibilities in the praxis are briefly discussed.