Leukotriene receptor antagonists may prevent NSAID-induced exacerbations in patients with chronic urticaria.

Background: About 30% of patients with chronic urticaria experience flares of hives and/or angioedema after ingesting either aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In such patients, cross-reactivity to all NSAIDs seems to occur suggesting a mechanism dependent on cyclooxygenase inhibition.

Objective: To evaluate the preventive effect of leukotriene receptor antagonists on urticaria exacerbations induced by NSAIDs in a patient with chronic urticaria.

Fennel, cucumber, and melon allergy successfully treated with pollen-specific injection immunotherapy.

Background: In subjects with both pollinosis and vegetable food allergy, most allergenic epitopes of fruits and vegetables are present in pollen. A recent study showed a marked reduction or a total disappearance of apple-induced oral allergy syndrome in patients receiving injection immunotherapy with birch pollen extracts.

Objective: To assess whether vegetable food allergy following other kinds of primary pollinosis may be successfully treated with pollen-specific immunotherapy.

Risk factors for acetaminophen and nimesulide intolerance in patients with NSAID-induced skin disorders.

Background: Previous studies show skin reactions after exposure to acetaminophen and/or nimesulide to occur in about 10% of patients with a history of urticaria induced by aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This fact is surprising since cross-reactivity among different NSAIDs should not occur among subjects without a history of chronic urticaria.

Objective: To detect risk factors for intolerance to alternative drugs such as acetaminophen and nimesulide in different groups of patients with a history of adverse skin reactions (urticaria/angioedema, or anaphylaxis) after the ingestion of aspirin and other NSAIDs.