Hives (Urticaria): Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:

  • General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore:
    • Inspection (viewing) of the skin and sclera (white part of the eye) [Leading symptom: wheals (usually on reddened skin)] According to the appearance of urticaria, the following forms can be distinguished:
      • Urticaria bullosa (hives associated with blistering).
      • Urticaria circinata (polycyclic limited foci).
      • Urticaria cum pigmentatione (accompanied by hyperpigmentation).
      • Urticaria gigantea (palm-sized foci).
      • Urticaria haemorrhagica (accompanied by hemorrhages).
      • Urticaria pigmentosa (benign generalized proliferation of tissue mast cells).
      • Urticaria porcellanea (whitish edematous wheals).
      • Urticaria profunda (accompanied by deep edema).
      • Urticaria rubra (bright red discoloration of the wheals).
  • Dermatological examination [due todifferential diagnoses].
  • Health check

Square brackets [ ] indicate possible pathological (pathological) physical findings.