Skin Test Reactivity to Common Foods and Aereoallergens in Iranian Children with Acute Urticaria

Abstract

Background: Urticaria is one of the most commonly diagnosed pediatric skin disorders. Limited studies have been carried out to investigate acute urticaria-related allergens in Iranian children. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prick test findings in Iranian pediatric patients with acute urticaria. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on pediatric patients with acute urticaria September 2012 to 2017. Background data, such as age, gender, and history of other allergic diseases, were recorded. The subjects experienced the skin prick test to assess allergy to 45 aeroallergens, food, contact and insect allergens. Results: One-hundred twenty-nine children (male to female ratio: 1.22) with a mean age of 5.93 ± 4.29 years were studied. The most common food allergens were pepper (21.7%), egg white (20.9%), and walnut (17.8%). The most common aeroallergens were Salsola kali (37.5%), Dermatophagoides farinae (33.6%) and trees (32.6%). The mean age of patients with a positive reaction to sesame, pepper, Chenopodiaceae, Salsola kali, grass, Ash, and trees was higher than subjects with negative results, whereas sensitization to milk, beef, and lamb was common in younger children. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, the most common food allergens in Iranian pediatric patients with acute urticaria currently appear to be pepper, egg white, walnut and egg yolk.