Urticaria is one of the most common dermatological and allergological cutaneous reactions and, compared to other diseases, it is easily recognized by patients and physicians alike. Nevertheless, the disease is highly complex regarding its eliciting causes, its clinical manifestations and its therapy. Thus, a famous New York dermatologist once mentioned that he would rather have a lion than a patient with chronic urticaria walk into his office. This may seem surprising since, to the uninitiated, different types of urticaria look alike, and the pathomechanisms are rather well understood, with mast cells being almost invariably the main effector cells. In 1986, a monograph of the first editor (Prof. Czarnetzki, now with the married name Henz) appeared, giving a detailed and thorough review of the then current state of knowledge regarding all aspects of the disease. Since then, two updates of this book have appeared in the German language, with coworkers of the clinic of Prof. Henz helping in the revision of the various chapters of the old monograph, and with particular emphasis on practical aspects of the disease. The present book is mainly a translation of the second German edition, with only minor updates and with more citations from the literature since the 1986 monograph is no longer available for purchase.

1 The Spectrum of Urticaria

1.1 Historical Aspects
1.2 Definition and Classification
1.3 Pathogenesis
1.4 Epidemiology
1.5 Clinical Aspects
1.6 Clinical Aspects of Intolerance Reactions
2 Causes of Urticaria
2.1 General Aspects
2.2 Allergic Urticaria
2.3 Pseudoalleles
2.4 Infections and Infestations
2.5 Internal Diseases
2.6 Hormones and Hormonal Dysfunctions
2.7 Neurologic and Psychological Factors
2.8 Stinging Insects and Plants
3 Acute and Chronic Urticaria
3.1 Definition
3.2 General Aspects
3.3 Epidemiology
3.4 Acute Urticaria
3.5 Chronic Urticaria
4 Angioedema
4.1 Definition
4.2 Epidemiology
4.3 Clinical Manifestations
4.4 Course and Prognosis
4.5 Diagnosis
4.6 Differential Diagnosis
4.7 Therapy
5 Physical Urticaria
5.1 General Aspects
5.2 Dermographic Urticaria
5.3 Delayed Pressure Urticaria
5.4 Cold Urticaria
5.5 Heat Contact Urticaria
5.6 Solar Urticaria
6 Cholinergic Urticaria
6.1 Definition
6.2 Epidemiology
6.3 Clinical Manifestations
6.4 Associated Diseases
6.5 Diagnosis
6.6 Differential Diagnosis
6.7 Related Diseases
6.8 Therapy
7 Contact Urticaria
7.1 Definition
7.2 Epidemiology
7.3 Clinical Manifestations
7.4 Different Types of Contact Urticaria
7.5 Diagnosis
7.6 Differential Diagnosis
7.7 Associated Diseases
7.8 Therapy
7.9 Latex Allergy
7.10 AquagenicUrticaria
8 Urticarial Vasculitis Syndrome
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Epidemiology
8.3 Clinical Manifestation
8.4 Diagnosis
8.5 Associated Diseases
8.6 Differential Diagnosis
8.7 Therapy
9 Mastocytosis (Urticaria Pigmentosa)
9.1 Definition
9.2 Epidemiology
9.3 Clinical Manifestations
9.4 Symptomatology
9.5 Histology
9.6 Laboratory Findings
9.7 Diagnosis
9.8 Prognosis
9.9 Therapy
10 Diagnosis of Urticaria
10.1 Practical Approach
10.2 Tests for Allergy
10.3 Diagnosis of Intolerance Reactions
10.4 Other Laboratory Tests
10.5 Differential Diagnosis
11 Urticaria Therapy
11.1 Basic Therapeutic Considerations
11.2 Treatment of Causes
11.3 Mast Cell-Directed Therapy
11.4 Therapy at the Target Organ
11.5 Prophylactic Therapy
11.6 Emergency Treatment
A Urticaria Questionnaire
B Urticaria Diary
C Test Protocol: Physical Urticaria
D1 Low Pseudoallergen Diet
D2 Expansion of the Low Pseudoallergen Diet After Freedom of Symptoms Has Been Obtained
E Low Pseudoallergen Diet - Suggestions for Recipes.