Urticaria is a common vascular reaction pattern in which the primary lesion is characteristically a wheal, itchy transient swelling which may be rose coloured or porcelain-like. The lesion occurs quickly and disappears within some hours without leaving any trace. Urticaria is associated with itching and there are many varieties of urticaria. The causes of urticaria are many: food, food additives, drugs, aspirin, infections (bacterial, virus), infestations (parasites), emotional stress, physical factors (cold, heat, light (UV), menthol - - (found in cigarettes, candy and mints, cough drops, aerosol sprays and topical medications); inhalants, alcohol, collagen vascular diseases and neoplasms.

Diagnosis is established by:

1) observation of monomorphic wheals,
2) short time course
3) presence of pruritus and
4) healing of the lesion without leaving any trace.

Treatment:

Drug treatment:

Chlorpheniramine, 8-12mg once daily or twice daily. Children: 0.5mg/kg/24 hours.

S/E: drowsiness, headache, psychomotor impairment, and anti-muscarinic effects

C/I: should be used with caution in prostatic hypertrophy, urinary retention, glaucoma, and hepatic disease

Dosage Form: Syrup 2mg/5ml; tablet 4mg,10mg.