Urticaria multiforme is a type of acute urticaria. It occurs mainly in children and usually resolves by itself and disappears quickly, typically lasting between 2 and 12 days.1 There are treatments to help reduce the red, itchy symptoms.
Urticaria multiforme is sometimes called acute annular urticaria or acute urticarial hypersensitivity syndrome.1
Just like other forms of urticaria the hives form when histamine is released by the mast cells in the skin. It can also be accompanied by swelling in deeper layers of the skin and the hives disappear quickly, often in 24 hours or less.1
The main difference between urticaria multiforme and other forms of acute urticaria is that the hives can have darker centres and lose colour when pressed. 1
Photo of urticaria multiforme. Image used with permission from DermNet NZ.
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Reference
- Emer JJ et al. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2013; 6:34–39