Urticaria multiforme in school age: A case report

Urticaria multiforme is an allergic hypersensitivity reaction. It manifests as a skin reaction with a vascular response pattern in the dermis. Urticaria multiforme is a benign, self-limited condition of unknown etiology, with onset in pediatric age and a more frequent range of presentation in children from 4 months to 4 years old. It is considered a subtype of urticaria in which the skin lesion corresponds to particular annular and polycyclic wheals, with a purple center and evanescent nature, frequently associated with acral edema and fever. The clinical recognition of urticaria multiforme, together with an adequate symptomatology, are sufficient for the diagnosis and provide peace of mind to parents. The most important differential diagnoses include acute urticaria, urticarial vasculitis, and erythema multiforme. The objectives of this article are to train pediatricians in recognizing urticaria multiforme and the differential diagnoses and to highlight the importance of symptomatology in reaching a diagnosis.