A Study of Diet Restriction in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria

Park, Chang Keun; Choi, Ji Hoon; Park, Chun Wook; Lee, Cheol Heon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although the pathogenesis of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) has not yet been fully elucidated, several previous studies have identified food additives or high amounts of histamine containing foods as possible eliciting factors of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of restricting pseudoallergens and histamines from the diets of patients affected with CIU.
METHODS
Fourteen CIU patients with Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) intolerance were prescribed a pseudoallergen restricted diet, whilst, fifteen CIU patients with ASA tolerance were prescribed a histamine restricted diet for 4 weeks. A control group of thirty nine CIU patients were not given a restricted diet. After 4 weeks, we estimated the improvement of symptoms and the change in the number of antihistamine tablets taken in each of the three groups.
RESULTS
Neither of the restricted diets induced a significant improvement of symptoms compared with the control group (p>0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant decrease in the number of antihistamine tablets taken in the restricted diet groups compared with the control group as well (p>0.05)
CONCLUSION
According to our results, we suggest that pseudoallergen or histamine restricted diets are not necessary in CIU patients.