Adrenergic urticaria is a skin condition characterized by an eruption consisting of small (1-5mm) red macules and papules with a pale halo, appearing within 10 to 15 min after emotional upset.[1]: 154 [2] There have been 10 cases described in medical literature, and involve a trigger (coffee, intense emotions) followed by a rise in catecholamine and IgE. Treatment involves propranolol and trigger avoidance.[3]
| Adrenergic urticaria | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Dermatology |
Mechanism
editThe underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, but existing research suggests that adrenergic urticaria is linked with elevated serum catecholamine levels. The characteristic halo hives are most likely caused by catecholamine-induced peripheral vasoconstriction around erythematous wheals, which is consistent with other types of urticaria.[3]
Diagnosis
editThe diagnosis of AU can be made either clinically or by giving an intradermal injection of adrenaline or noradrenaline, which causes the rash, or by monitoring the body's reaction to propranolol, which suppresses the rash and prevents further exacerbations.[4] Skin biopsy specimens of adrenergic urticaria show edematous tissues with a vague inflammatory infiltrate, and electron microscopy reveals mast cell degranulation, supporting the currently accepted theory that mast cells regulate pathogenesis.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
- ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. p. 267. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- ^ a b c Hogan, Sara R.; Mandrell, Joshua; Eilers, David (2014). "Adrenergic urticaria: Review of the literature and proposed mechanism". Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 70 (4). Elsevier BV: 763–766. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.062. ISSN 0190-9622. PMID 24373776.
- ^ Goodman, Brian; Jariwala, Sunit (2021). "Dupilumab as a novel therapy to treat adrenergic urticaria". Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 126 (2). Elsevier BV: 205–206. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.06.034. ISSN 1081-1206. PMC 7327453. PMID 32621993.