Role of the Skin Prick Test in Urticaria Patients.

Samruddhi Lote,Sanjeev B Gupta,Mahendra Singh Deora,Sujay Saxena,Divya Poulose,Aditi Mahajan,Jaya Madhurya Gogineni,Biswajit Chaklader

doi:10.7759/cureus.21818

Abstract

BackgroundUrticaria, a vascular reaction of the skin, is marked by the transient appearance of erythematous papules or plaques (wheals) of varying sizes that are blanchable and associated with severe pruritus which lasts from a few hours to days. The etiological factors for urticaria include food, drugs, bacterial foci, pollen, fungi, dust, worms, physical stimuli, stress, anxiety, insect stings, etc. Skin prick tests (SPTs) represent the cheapest and most effective method to diagnose immunoglobulin E-mediated type 1 allergic reactions such as urticaria. A history suggestive of clinical sensitivity supported by a positive test strongly implicates the allergen in the disease process. In this study, we aimed to detect the common allergens and correlate the findings of SPTs with various epidemiological characteristics of urticaria patients.MethodologyA total of 100 patients with urticaria were included in this study. After receiving written and informed consent from patients, SPTs using a battery of 45 allergens were performed.ResultsIn our study, SPT positivity was seen in 88 (88%) patients. The highest sensitization was noted toward Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (house dust mite) (30%), followed by D. farinae, Cynodon dactylon, and peanuts (each comprising 24%), and Ailanthus excelsa (20%).ConclusionsFinding the causative allergen in urticaria is often a difficult and long-drawn process, both for the physician and the patient. Our study identified an allergen in 88% of patients with urticaria, thereby showing that the SPT is a cost-effective, easy, and reliable tool for diagnosing and guiding treatments in urticaria patients.

Highlights

The highest sensitization was noted toward Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (30%), followed by D. farinae, Cynodon dactylon, and peanuts, and Ailanthus excelsa (20%)
Our study identified an allergen in 88% of patients with urticaria, thereby showing that the Skin prick tests (SPTs) is a cost-effective, easy, and reliable tool for diagnosing and guiding treatments in urticaria patients
Urticaria is a vascular reaction of the skin marked by the appearance of transient, smooth, slightly elevated, erythematous papules or plaques of varying sizes which are blanchable and associated with severe pruritus which lasts from a few hours to days

Summary

Introduction

Urticaria is a vascular reaction of the skin marked by the appearance of transient, smooth, slightly elevated, erythematous papules or plaques (wheals) of varying sizes which are blanchable and associated with severe pruritus which lasts from a few hours to days. Factors precipitating acute urticaria have been reported in approximately 50% of the cases. Some common factors include viral infections, food, medications, and insect sting reactions. A vascular reaction of the skin, is marked by the transient appearance of erythematous papules or plaques (wheals) of varying sizes that are blanchable and associated with severe pruritus which lasts from a few hours to days. The etiological factors for urticaria include food, drugs, bacterial foci, pollen, fungi, dust, worms, physical stimuli, stress, anxiety, insect stings, etc. We aimed to detect the common allergens and correlate the findings of SPTs with various epidemiological characteristics of urticaria patients

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Conclusion