http://www.medicinaeinformazione.com/ / medicinaeinformazione Urticaria is a little-known disease, poorly diagnosed (sometimes it takes months and numerous specialist visits to reach a certain diagnosis) and difficult to treat in idiopathic forms, that is, those in which a specific allergen is not recognized (such as a food, a drug...). But today for the forms of chronic spontaneous urticaria a new monoclonal antibody is available that has given good results in 90% of cases resistant to other therapies with antihistamines or cortisone. The quality of life of patients with chronic urticaria is unfortunately compromised by itching, burning in the case of angioedema, and difficulty in having a normal social and working life, and it is important that the diagnostic process is correct and personalized, with a careful anamnesis that takes into account the patient's clinical and personal history, his comorbidities and his psychological distress, a factor that should not be overlooked in the diagnostic and therapeutic choice. There are many tests available, from the most basic ones to biopsy samples or the search for antibodies linked to autoimmunity and therapies must be personalized based on the type of urticaria. In acute forms it is usually sufficient to eliminate the triggering agent and administer antihistamines or cortisone, in spontaneous chronic forms (which therefore last for more than six weeks and do not respond to traditional treatments) the administration of this new molecule - administration that currently only occurs in specialized centers with a transdermal injection once every four weeks for six cycles) - is the most innovative and decisive approach that gives patients back the serenity and optimism that the disease had taken away from them (a study by the Istud Foundation showed that the prevailing feeling in patients who suffer from spontaneous chronic urticaria is anger, followed by fear due to the unpredictability of the attacks that can make it impossible to go to work or have a social life). And on the occasion of the 2nd World Urticaria Day, a Meeting was held in Milan with the major Italian experts in the field to talk about how to diagnose an idiopathic form with certainty and how it can be successfully treated today thanks to new biological drugs that, among other things, have not shown side effects unlike a prolonged administration of cortisone. And for those who suffer from urticaria today there is an additional option with an APP developed by Novartis that allows you to monitor the progress of the crises, evaluate the effects of the therapy and have all the information necessary to live your pathology with awareness and serenity. During the Meeting we interviewed: Prof. Paolo Pigatto - Professor of the University of Milan, Department of Biosciences for Clinical Dermatological Health, Section of Allergological Dermatology IRCCS - Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute Prof. Massimo Triggiani - Associate Professor of Allergology and Clinical Immunology University of Salerno Dr. Maria Giulia Marini, Director of the Health and Healthcare Area of ​​the ISTUD Foundation Dr. Tiziana Penza - Novartis Brand Leader Dr. Massimo Alfieri - President of FederASMA and ALLERGIE Onlus