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Ency. home > Disease > U > Urticaria pigmentosa

Urticaria pigmentosa    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment

Alternative names:

Systemic mastocytosis; Mastocytosis; Mastocytoma

Definition:

A disease that produces skin lesions, intense itching, and hive formation at the site of the lesion upon rubbing.

Causes and Risks

Urticaria pigmentosa is caused by excessive numbers of inflammatory cells (mast cells) in the skin. It is most often seen in children, but occurs in adults as well.

Rubbing of a lesion produces a rapid wheal (a hive-like bump). Younger children may develop a fluid-filled blister over a lesion if it is traumatized.

A large histamine release may cause flushing, headache, diarrhea, a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), and even fainting. This is uncommon with urticaria pigmentosa, but may be seen in other forms of mastocytosis.

Urticaria pigmentosa is one of several forms of mastocytosis. Other forms include the solitary mastocytoma (a single lesion), and systemic mastocytosis (involvement in organs other than the skin).

Ency. home > Disease > U > Urticaria pigmentosa

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