Loading...
Steroids are commonly prescribed for acute urticaria, although a recent randomized, controlled trial showed no benefit with their use (NEJM JW Emerg Med Jul 2017 and Ann Emerg Med 2018; 71:125). In a new study, researchers in Thailand randomized adult emergency department patients with at least moderate pruritis (scores ≥5 on a 10-point visual analog scale) to receive a single dose of 5 mg intravenous (IV) dexamethasone only, a single-dose of IV dexamethasone plus 5 days of oral prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg per day), or no steroids. All patients received a dose of 10 mg IV chlorpheniramine and 7 days of oral cetirizine (10 mg per day). Dexamethasone allocation was blinded and placebo-controlled, but prednisolone was prescribed open label. Exclus…