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Antigenic extracts obtained from Callistemon citrinis (bottlebrush) and Melaleuca quinquenervia (melaleuca) pollen were analyzed by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), tandem-crossed immunoelectrophoresis (TCIE), and trans-blot enzyme-linked crossed immunoelectrophoresis (TECIE). CIE analysis detected 14 and 12 antigenic components in bottlebrush and melaleuca, respectively. TCIE analysis of bottlebrush pollen, employing rabbit anti-melaleuca serum in the intermediate gel, demonstrated that all of the antigenic components detected were cross-reactive. Similar analysis of melaleuca using rabbit anti-bottlebrush serum in the intermediate gel also showed that all of the antigenic components were cross-reactive. At least three bottlebrush and two melaleuca cross-reactive pollen components were demonstrated to be allergenic by TECIE analysis of CIE and TCIE gels.

Treatment of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) involves reducing symptoms with the least invasive therapy and carefully balancing risk and benefit. The mainstay of therapy is the use of antihistamines with or without the use of intermittent pulses of corticosteroids. Alternative therapies to chronic corticosteroids include leukotriene antagonists, plasma-phoresis, dapsone, stanazolol, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, and warfarin. A practical approach to CIU bases treatment and severity on the patients' previous response to therapy. Therapy goals are to reduce symptoms until spontaneous resolution occurs. Management of CIU patients can be both frustrating and rewarding.