Urticarial vasculitis

Urticarial vasculitis is a subtype of leukocytoclastic vasculitis that manifests as urticaria. It may be idiopathic in nature or associated with other systemic diseases or antigen exposures. Patients may be classified according to serum complement levels, with normal levels associated with a good prognosis and mild or no systemic involvement. Hypocomplementemic patients are more likely to have multiorgan involvement. Patients with only mild cutaneous disease may benefit from antihistamines, dapsone, colchicine, indomethacin, or hydroxychloroquine. Corticosteroids and other cytotoxic drugs may be required to effectively treat patients with more severe disease.