急性荨麻疹的终生患病率约为20%。[3]Zuberbier T, Aberer W, Asero R, et al. The EAACI/GA(2)LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria: the 2013 revision and update. Allergy. 2014;69:868-887.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.12313/fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24785199?tool=bestpractice.com尽管大部分病例病程急性且具有自限性,仍有30%的患者症状会持续更久。[4]Kaplan AP. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Middleton's allergy: principles and practice, vol 2. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby; 2003:1537-1558.在西班牙,慢性荨麻疹的患病率约为0.6%。[5]Gaig P, Olona M, Muñoz Lejarazu D, et al. Epidemiology of urticaria in Spain. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2004;14:214-220.http://www.jiaci.org/issues/vol14issue03/214-220.pdfhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15552715?tool=bestpractice.com急性荨麻疹更易于发生于儿童和青少年,而慢性荨麻疹更常见于成人。慢性荨麻疹中,女性发病率高于男性(女性、男性分别为60%、40%)。据报道,黑人发生ACE抑制剂引起的血管性水肿的几率高于白人。[6]Mahoney EJ, Devaiah AK. Angioedema and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: are demographics a risk? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008;139:105-108.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18585570?tool=bestpractice.com