Massimo De Martinis; Maria Maddalena Sirufo; Lia Ginaldi
Volume 21, Issue 1 , 2019, Pages 1-8
Abstract
Introduction: One of the most common forms of physical urticaria is the cold urticaria. It can be a medical emergency, since itcan induce anaphylaxis and edema of the glottis, and in any case, it is a condition that reduces the quality of life of the affectedsubjects forced to significantly limit their ...
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Introduction: One of the most common forms of physical urticaria is the cold urticaria. It can be a medical emergency, since itcan induce anaphylaxis and edema of the glottis, and in any case, it is a condition that reduces the quality of life of the affectedsubjects forced to significantly limit their normal activities. Moreover, since the symptoms are triggered by exposure to cold, whichis difficult (if not impossible) to avoid in everyday life, a safe and effective therapy appears to be essential. Unfortunately, traditionaltherapies often cannot provide adequate and safe answers.Case Presentation: The current study reported the case of a 52-year-old female patient manifesting the first symptoms after goingto the stadium to watch football games while sitting in the stands. On such occasions, her buttocks would begin to itch, and startedswelling and reddening. These manifestations then occurred on other occasions of exposure to the cold, and in other body areas.The patient visited the outpatient clinic of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, Teramo General Hospital (Teramo, Italy), andwas treated with sedating and non-sedating H1-blocking antihistamines (Rupatadine, Cetirizine), a leukotriene antagonist, and oralsteroids with no success; therefore, it was decided to treat her with Omalizumab, an anti-IgE antibody.Conclusions: The satisfactory response to Omalizumab in the patient, after the failure of previous standard therapeutic strategies,confirmed the effectiveness of this molecule to treat cold urticaria, which despite what reported in several studies, is not yet recognized and authorized by the competent health authorities in the treatment of this condition.
