[Urticaria and mast cells in adolescence].

Adolescent patients are often affected by dermographic, cholinergic, cold or solar urticaria brought about by distinct physical stimulation. These physical forms of urticaria as well as cutaneous and systemic mastocytosis are due to the release of inflammatory mediators from the mast cells. As these diseases usually show characteristic cutaneous symptoms, they can easily be distinguished from other subtypes of urticarial reaction. In order to make the reader familiar with physical urticaria and mastocytosis, we describe the clinical features, pathogenic factors, and therapeutic possibilities of these disorders in adolescence.