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- $Unique_ID{BRK04300}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Urticaria Pigmentosa}
- $Subject{Urticaria Pigmentosa Xanthelasmoidea Infantile Mastocytosis Perstans
- Hemorrhagica Urticaria Papular Urticaria Pigmentosa Nodular Urticaria
- Pigmentosa}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 192:
- Urticaria Pigmentosa
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible the main title of the article (Urticaria Pigmentosa) is
- not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
- alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Xanthelasmoidea
- Infantile Mastocytosis
- Perstans Hemorrhagica Urticaria
-
- DISORDER SUBDIVISIONS
-
- Papular Urticaria Pigmentosa
- Nodular Urticaria Pigmentosa
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
- section of this report.
-
-
- The most common form of Urticaria Pigmentosa is the papular form which is
- characterized by itchiness, brown spots (macules), and smooth, slightly
- elevated areas of different color appearing on the skin. There is
- progression to pigmentation, followed by the formation of erythema (redness),
- and edema when the lesions are rubbed. In the nodular form of Urticaria
- Pigmentosa, scarring is especially prominent.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Characteristically, persons with Urticaria Pigmentosa have skin lesions which
- may be itchy due to an excess of mast cells in the skin. Malaise, anorexia
- (loss of appetite), abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, and pain in the
- back, chest and joints also may be present.
-
- Causes
-
- The cause of Urticaria Pigmentosa is unknown. The disorder may be due to an
- allergic, pseudoleukemic, or metabolic disturbance. Most cells release
- histamine which causes many of the symptoms.
-
- Affected Population
-
- Onset of Urticaria Pigmentosa is generally in the first year of life.
- Lesions usually disappear by adolescence except when Systemic Mastocytosis is
- present (see section on related disorders).
-
- Related Disorders
-
- In Systemic Mastocytosis there are multiple confluent spots, papules and
- nodules in the skin, and pigmentation may be less. Extensive involvement of
- the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and rectum, and enlargement of the
- spleen, liver and lymph nodes also may be present. Edema and shock-like
- episodes may also occur.
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Treatment of Urticaria Pigmentosa is symptomatic and supportive.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- Urticaria Pigmentosa has been treated experimentally with oral disodium
- cromoglycate, the H-2 antihistamine cimetidine (sometimes combined with the
- H-1 antihistamine chlorpheniramine or the anticholinergic drug propantheline)
- and with ketotifen.
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- March 1987. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
- every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
- Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
- current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Urticaria Pigmentosa, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information
- Clearinghouse
- Box AMS
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 495-4484
-
- References
-
- THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed: R. Berkow, et al: eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
- Research Laboratories, 1987. P. 310.
-
- CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.: James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
- Smith, Jr., Eds.: W. B. Saunders Co., 1988. Pp. 1948-51, 2334-5.
-
-