EXPERIENCE IN RATIONALLY PREVENTING AND TREATING THE SYMPTOMS OF COLD URTICARIA

Background. Acquired cold urticaria (ACU) is an abnormal skin condition, in which exposure to cold results in wheals and itching and sometimes general systemic complications. Cold urticaria considerably worsens the patients quality of life. Second-generation antihistamines are recommended as the first-line treatment, but to date only a few have been scientifically tested in this disease. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ebastine in preventing the symptoms of ACU. Methods. Twenty-two adult patients with ACU participated in a double-blind crossover trial of ebastine 20 mg. The safety of ebastine was thoroughly evaluated using a battery of psychometric tests of cognitive performance and mood. After cold challenge, wheal and erythema were assessed by the investigator and the intensities of pruritus and burning were rated by the examinees. Results. Ebastine had no negative effect on any of the parameters of cognitive performance or mood; it dramatically reduced the number of patients who had wheals, pruritus, and burning after the challenge. Conclusion. Ebastine is a safe and effective drug to prevent the symptoms of ACU.

acquired cold urticaria, ebastine, histamine, mast cells