Significance of tartrazine sensitivity in chronic urticaria of unknown etiology.

Of 38 patients with chronic urticaria of unknown etiology who were evaluated for food and drug additive sensitivity, 53% (20/38) had urticaria for 1 yr or more. Total eosinophil counts were not elevated in most patients, and the frequency of atopy was found to be similar to that in a general population. Of these 38 patients, 10 (26%) had a personal history of aspirin intolerance, but elimination of aspirin did not relieve the urticaria.