Role of contact sensitization in chronic urticaria.

We tested the hypothesis that contact allergy plays a role in chronic urticaria, and included the Italian series of patch tests in the diagnostic workup. Of 121 patients with chronic urticaria, 50 (41%) tested positive to contact allergens. In all patients, avoidance measures led to a complete remission within 1 month. We suggest that testing for contact sensitization can be helpful in the management of chronic urticaria.