Cholinergic urticaria: More than a simple inducible urticaria

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Allergology
• Immunology

Background:

• Cholinergic urticaria (ChU) is a condition causing small hives due to increased body temperature.
• The exact causes and clinical presentations of ChU remain unclear.
• This study investigated the diverse symptoms and signs of ChU in a Korean patient cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the full spectrum of clinical manifestations in Korean patients with Cholinergic urticaria.
• To identify demographic patterns and symptom variations in ChU.
• To inform diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for ChU.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records for patients diagnosed with ChU.
• Data collection included patient demographics, symptom presentation, and treatment response.

Main Results:

• 203 patients diagnosed with ChU were analyzed (188 male, 15 female).
• 14% of patients reported only itching or burning without visible skin lesions.
• ChU prevalence peaked in the twenties, with symptom onset most common in the teens.
• Patients with visible hives responded better to antihistamines than those without.

Conclusions:

• Cholinergic urticaria presents with varied symptoms, including pruritus and erythema without obvious hives.
• Physicians should consider these less common presentations for accurate diagnosis.
• Broader recognition of ChU manifestations can improve patient management and treatment outcomes.