[Chronic urticaria. Etiologic and therapeutic evaluation of 150 cases. (author's transl)]

The study of one hundred and fifty cases of chronic urticaria observed, gave the following results: higher female frequency, usual beginning at adult age, relative absence of digestive problems. For the last of these results we nevertheless noted numerous insignificant functional features, a few examples of colitis, a number of cases of non-functioning gall-bladder. Frequency of sensitivity to foods, preservatives, colouring agents, medical substances, principally shown by provocation tests (the latter present a considerable interest, and merit frequent use); importance of bacterian, mycotic, parasitic origins; little importance of atopy; frequency of minor psychogenic disorders. A contributing role might be played by spasmophily. The therapy includes the following basic treatment; antihistaminic drugs (mainly hydroxyzine hydrochloride and cyproheptadine hydrochloride) and a diet which eliminates recognized urticaria causing foods. In addition, a supplementary treatment destined to eliminate the factors shown to be responsible for the outbreak, must be prescribed.