Iqbal Akhtar Khan, Muhammad Ahmad Khan.
Urticaria and Enteric Parasitosis: an agonizing condition.
Med Channel Jan ;5(4):25-8.

Urticaria is one of the most commonly encountered problems in clinical practice; more in dermatology unit and less so, but with exaggerated severity, in emergency medicine department. Foods, drugs and infections are its most frequent causes whereas intestinal parasites have also been found to have a significant role in its causation. Usually it is an additional manifestation of the symptomatology of the parasitosis but, at times, it is the only presentation making the diagnosis difficult. Such a situation could result in continuation of urticaria for a longer period without being properly diagnosed and adequately treated thus adding to the physical agony and mental anguish of the patient. This report describes a similar case with dual ifnection, hookworm with Giardia lamblia, both of which are known to cause urticaria. Eradication of both these parasites with dual acting Albendazole resulted in complete resolution of urticaria and its non-recurrence within the follow up period of three months. Infection with either or both these pathogens are easily treatable with specific therapy and their identification as the offending organisms in the aetiopathogenesis of urticaria is very well rewarding.

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