A diet free of salicylates, benzoates and azo dyes was applied to 158 patients with chronic urticaria. On the basis of the results of this diet, 50 persons were recognized as 'sensitive' to food additives. Psychosomatic examination of the latter patients demonstrated that they do not differ significantly from the remaining ones as regards exacerbations of skin changes by psychological stress. On the other hand, the coexistence of a frustrating situation at the beginning of appearance of skin changes is markedly less frequent in persons 'sensitive' to food additives. Patients are described in whom intolerance to food additives occurred together with hypersensitivity to drugs or some kinds of food.