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. 2015 May 22;58(5):159–164. doi: 10.3345/kjp.2015.58.5.159

Table 1. Clinical classification of chronic urticaria subtypes (presenting with wheals, angioedema, or both) and recommended diagnostic tests.

Chronic urticaria subtypes Diagnostic program (suggested based on history)
Spontaneous appearance of wheals, angioedema, or both ≥6 weeks due to known or unknown causes Chronic spontaneous urticaria Routine diagnostic tests: differential blood count. liver enzyme. ESR or CRP.
For identification of underlying causes and for ruling out possible differential diagnosis: (1) test for infection, (2) type I allergy, (3) functional autoantibody, (4) Thyroid disease, (5) ASST, (6) tryptase, (7) Pseudoallergy free diet for 3 weeks, and (8) lesional skin biopsy
Inducible trigger Inducible urticaria Routine diagnostic test
Symptomatic dermographism Scratching or shear forces on the skin
Cold urticaria Cold provocation test (ice cube)
Delayed pressure urticaria Pressure test (weight bag or special instrument on the arm.
Solar urticaria Sunlight to buttock area
Heat urticaria Metal or glass cylinder filled with hot water on the forearm for 5 minutes
Vibratory angioedema Vortex mixer for 10 minutes - 1,000 rpm on the forearm
Cholinergic urticaria Physical exercise to the point of sweating or hot bath
Contact urticaria Open test with suspected substance
Aquagenic urticaria Attaching compresses with water on the forearm for 20 minutes

Modified from Zuberbier, et al. Allergy 2014;69:868-871), with permission with Wiley & Sons Inc.

ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate: CRP, C-reactive protein: ASST, autologous serum skin test