Urticaria is a frequent disease. The lifetime prevalence for urticaria is approximately 20%. Urticaria not only causes a decrease in quality of life, but also affects performance at work and school and, as such, is a member of the group of severe allergic diseases. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors, and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based approaches to economical diagnosis for different subtypes of urticaria. The correct management of urticaria, which is of paramount importance for patients, is very complex and is consequently covered in a separate guideline. This German language guideline was prepared on the basis of the international English language guideline, which was acknowledged by UEMS (European Union of Medical Specialists), taking into account medical conditions in the German language area. This guideline, together with its sister guideline on the management of urticaria, is the result of a consensus reached during a panel discussion at the 3rd International Consensus Meeting on Urticaria, "Urticaria 2008", a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the EAACI (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology), the EU-funded network of excellence GA(2)LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network), the EDF (European Dermatology Forum) and the WAO (World Allergy Organization). For the first time, given that evidence was sufficient, the Grading-of-Recommendations-Assessment- De vel opment-and- Evaluation-(GRADE)-Method was used here as far as possible.     «

Urticaria is a frequent disease. The lifetime prevalence for urticaria is approximately 20%. Urticaria not only causes a decrease in quality of life, but also affects performance at work and school and, as such, is a member of the group of severe allergic diseases. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors, and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence-based approaches to eco...     »