Significance of tartrazine sensitivity in chronic urticaria of unknown etiology

Abstract Of 38 patients with chronic urticaria of unknown etiology who were evaluated for food and drug additive sensitivity, 53% (2038) had urticaria for 1 yr or more. Total eosinophil counts ware not elevated in most patients, and the frequency of atopy was found to be similar to that in a general population. Of these 38 patients, 10 (26%) had a personal history of aspirin intolerance, but elimination of aspirin did not relieve the urticaria. In a double-blind crossover challenge with 0.22 mg of tartrazine and a control, tartrazine sensitivity was found in 8% (338) of patients with chronic urticaria and 20% (210) of patients with aspirin intolerance.