[Chronic urticaria: which evaluation? Which management?]

Chronic urticaria (CU) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by the recurrence of transient and itching maculopapular skin lesions for more than 6 weeks. Clinical diagnosis is easy but eliciting factors are rarely evidenced. Recently, autoimmune mechanisms have been recognized as a cause of CU. Carefully history and physical examination are the most important elements of the etiological diagnosis. Exhausted tests are expensive and their cost-effectiveness is low. In the vast majority of cases this disease is benign but the quality of life can be severely affected. Second generation non-sedating antihistamines are the cornerstone of the treatment.