Urticaria, Cholinergic

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Urticaria, Cholinergic is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Physical Urticaria, Cholinergic Type

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Cholinergic urticaria is a relatively common disorder of the immune system characterized by an immediate skin reaction (hypersensitivity) to heat, emotional stress, and/or exercise. Symptoms of the disorder include the appearance of distinctive small skin eruptions (hives) with well-defined borders and pale centers, surrounded by patches of red skin (wheal-and-flare reaction). These red areas are typically intensely itchy (pruritus). Occasionally, cholinergic urticaria may be associated with systemic symptoms such as fever and/or difficulty breathing.

The symptoms of cholinergic urticaria may develop due to the reaction of specific immune system antibodies (IgE) to certain antigens, leading to a hypersensitivity response (Type I) and the wheal-and-flare reaction that is typical of cholinergic urticaria.

Resources

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6610 Rockledge Drive
MSC 6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Tel: (301)496-5717
Fax: (301)402-3573
TDD: (800)877-8339
Internet: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
611 East Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Tel: (414)272-6071
Fax: (414)276-3349
Tel: (800)822-2762
Email: info@aaaai.org
Internet: http://www.aaaai.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 2/5/2004
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1989, 1995, 2004 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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