General practice & prim · UKMLA & AKT
Urticaria
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise urticaria — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.
Key high-yield points
- Wheals (hives) - raised, pale, oedematous plaques with surrounding erythematous flare; intensely itchy
- Transient and migratory - individual lesions resolve within 24 hours, leaving no skin change
- Common triggers - insect stings, foods (nuts, shellfish), NSAIDs, aspirin, ACE inhibitors, antibiotics, viral infections
- Angio-oedema - deeper swelling of lips, tongue, eyelids; airway involvement is a red flag
A weal persisting >24 hours, painful rather than itchy, or leaving bruising suggests vasculitic urticaria - refer to dermatology; do not manage as standard urticaria.
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