Urticaria pigmentosa

[frys100]

My daughter has been diagnosed with urticaria pigmentosa - however the more I read - the more I am sure it is not this - she does not itch and they do not swell up, does any one else not have these dymptoms?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Normally the patches will not itch and swell unless rubbed. In some this too may not happen unless you rub during a very hot and humid climate or after an exercise while the child is sweating. Itching and swelling on rubbing depends on the mast cell concentration in the patch. Lower the concentration lesser is the reaction.
Skin biopsy is the only way of confirming for sure. Generally the clinicians rely on the look of the patches for the diagnosis.
Hope this helps. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Haikucat]

Yes, my daughter had a biopsy and was confirmed she has UP.  She normally does not swell or itch either, unless it is really hot and humid.  She is nearly 4 and it is really hard to deal with people always asking if she has chicken pox.  I got SO FRUSTRATED with them!!!  I used to explain what she has and now I just say, "No, it's not chicken pox."  I love their reaction!  It's like they don't know what to say.  How old is your daughter?