Background: Mugwort pollen is known to cross-react with a variety of spices and vegetables that are typically part of elimination diets used in the treatment of chronic urticaria (CU).
Objective: We sought to investigate the association between CU and allergic sensitization to mugwort pollen.
Methods: We conducted 2 case-control studies comparing aeroallergen skin prick test results between patients with and without CU and with or without allergic rhinitis (total n = 202).
Results: CU patients with coexisting allergic rhinitis were more than twice as likely to be sensitized to mugwort as subjects not suffering from CU (67 vs. 30%; p = 0.004). Ragweed, cat, rat and mite sensitization were also significantly associated with CU. Overall, patients with CU had more positive aeroallergen skin tests than patients without CU (p < 0.005).
Conclusion: Mugwort sensitization was associated with CU, possibly contributing to beneficial effect of elimination diets.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.