Are you one of those unfortunate people who suffer with almost daily attacks of itchy skin lumps (hives, nettle rash, urticaria) or skin swellings (angio-oedema)? These can be the most distressing and frustrating conditions to cope with, particularly if you feel that nobody seems to understand just how much it affects the quality of your life. You may be fortunate and just have a one off attack of hives (1-6 of the population will at some stage in their life) but you may be concerned that it will recur. Your child may have suffered or the episode occurred during pregnancy. You may have the rarer condition of skin swellings without hives and are keen to learn more about the nature of the condition and how it can be treated. Dr Connellan has addressed all of these issues in this simple guide to the conditions and their treatment. He has kept the medical jargon to a minimum, wherever possible, and illustrated the cases with simple graphics and individual stories, some of which may relate to your experience. It is hoped that this book will provide all the information you need to gain a much clearer understanding of the nature of your particular condition and will also give you greater confidence, when consulting with your doctor, to highlight the most important points in your history. When this is achieved, you will have a greater chance of receiving a firm diagnosis with both appropriate and effective treatment. This guide is on the 'Allergy UK' list of recommended reading: http: //www.allergyuk.org/allergy-books/allergy-books