Contact urticaria is an immediate but transient localized swelling and redness that occurs on the skin after direct contact with an offending substance. It is caused by a variety of compounds, such as foods, preservatives, fragrances, plant and animal products, metals, and rubber latex and the mechanism by which these provoke an immediate urticarial rash at the area of contact can be divided into two categories: non-immunological contact urticaria and immunological (allergic) contact urticaria. Non-immunological contact urticaria typically causes mild localized reactions that clear within hours, e.g. stinging nettle rash. This type of urticaria occurs without prior exposure of a patient's immune system to an allergen. Immunological contact urticaria occurs most commonly in atopic individuals (people who are prone to allergy). Hence prior exposure to an allergen is required for this type of contact urticaria to occur. 

While there have been other texts written on the subject over the last decade, this book is intended as an easily accessible guide for dermatologists and residents, as well as general practitioners, summarizing the most important concepts that will help physicians identify the signs and symptoms of Contact Urticaria Syndrome in their daily clinical practice. Each chapter is laid out in the following format: Concepts, Tools and Algorithms of Diagnosis and Management, a Clinical Case for each entry, and Recommendations. Additionally, the Volume Editors have worked to provide a global approach to this syndrome using internationally standardized requirements for diagnosis.

Chapter 1. Essentials and Updated Concepts

Chapter 2. Basic Epidemiology Concepts Relevant in Contact Urticaria
Chapter 3. Occupational Relevance of Contact Urticaria Syndrome
Chapter 4. Clinical Diagnosis of Immediate Contact Skin Reactions
Chapter 5. Oral Allergy Syndrome: Rethinking Concepts
Chapter 6. Wheals and Eczema: Pathogenic Mechanism in Immediate Contact Reactions
Chapter 7. Immediate Skin Contact Reactions Induced by Proteins
Chapter 8. Immediate Skin Contact Reactions Induced by Chemicals
Chapter 9. Immunoglobulin E, Pathogenic Relevance in Immediate Contact Reactions
Chapter 10. Diagnostic Methods: Cutaneous Provocation Tests in Contact Urticaria Syndrome
Chapter 11. Molecular Diagnosis in Contact Urticaria Caused by Proteins
Chapter 12. Preventive Measures for Occupational Induced Immediate Contact Reactions
Chapter 13. Management and Treatment of Contact Urticaria Syndrome
Chapter 14. Management of Contact Urticaria through Clinical Cases.