answersLogoWhite

0

AllQ&AStudy Guides
Best answer
Definition

Angioedema is a swelling, similar to hives, but the swelling is beneath the skin rather than on the surface. Hives are often called welts. They are a surface swelling. It is also possible to have angioedema without hives.

See also: Hereditary angioedema

Alternative Names

Angioneurotic edema; Welts

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Angioedema may be caused by an allergic reaction. During the reaction, histamine and other chemicals are released into the bloodstream. The body releases histamine when the immune system detects a foreign substance called an allergen.

In many cases, the cause of angioedema is never found.

The following may cause angioedema:

  • Animal dander (scales of shed skin)
  • Exposure to water, sunlight, cold or heat
  • Foods (such as berries, shellfish, fish, nuts, eggs, milk, and others)
  • Insect bites
  • Medications (drug allergy), such as antibiotics (penicillin and sulfa drugs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors)
  • Pollen

Hives and angioedema may also occur after infections or with other illnesses (including autoimmune disorders such as lupus, and leukemia and lymphoma).

A form of angioedema runs in families and has different triggers, complications, and treatments. This is called hereditary angioedema, and it is not discussed in this article.

Symptoms

The main symptom is sudden swelling below the skin surface. You may also develop welts or swelling on the surface of your skin.

The swelling usually occurs around the eyes and lips. It may also be found on the hands, feet, and throat. The swelling may form a line or be more spread out.

The welts are painful and may be itchy. They turn pale and swell if irritated. The deeper swelling of angioedema may also be painful.

Other symptoms may include:

Signs and tests

The doctor will look at your skin and ask you if you have been exposed to any irritating substances. A physical exam might reveal abnormal sounds (stridor) when you breathe in if the throat is affected.

Rarely, the health care provider may perform blood tests or allergy testing.

Treatment

Mild symptoms may not need treatment. Moderate to severe symptoms may need treatment. Breathing difficulty is an emergency condition.

Cool compresses or soaks can provide pain relief.

Medications used to treat angioedema include:

  • Antihistamines
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines (corticosteroids)
  • Epinephrine
  • Ranitidine (Zantac)
  • Terbutaline (a bronchodilator)

If the person has trouble breathing, seek immediate medical help.

See: Breathing difficulties - first aid

At the hospital, a tube may be placed in the throat to keep the airway open.

Expectations (prognosis)

Angioedema that does not affect the breathing may be uncomfortable, but is usually harmless and goes away in a few days.

ComplicationsCalling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if:

  • Angioedema does not respond to treatment
  • It is severe
  • You have never had angioedema before

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:

  • Abnormal breathing sounds (stridor)
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fainting
  • Wheezing
Prevention

To prevent angioedema from coming back:

  • Avoid irritating the affected area.
  • Stay away from known allergens.

Never take medications that are not prescribed for you.

References

Dreskin SC. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 273.

Temino VM, Peebles RS Jr. The spectrum and treatment of angioedema. Am J Med. 2008;121:282-286.

Wasserman SI. Approach to the person with allergic or immunologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 270.

This answer is:
Related answers
Definition

Angioedema is a swelling, similar to hives, but the swelling is beneath the skin rather than on the surface. Hives are often called welts. They are a surface swelling. It is also possible to have angioedema without hives.

See also: Hereditary angioedema

Alternative Names

Angioneurotic edema; Welts

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Angioedema may be caused by an allergic reaction. During the reaction, histamine and other chemicals are released into the bloodstream. The body releases histamine when the immune system detects a foreign substance called an allergen.

In many cases, the cause of angioedema is never found.

The following may cause angioedema:

  • Animal dander (scales of shed skin)
  • Exposure to water, sunlight, cold or heat
  • Foods (such as berries, shellfish, fish, nuts, eggs, milk, and others)
  • Insect bites
  • Medications (drug allergy), such as antibiotics (penicillin and sulfa drugs), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors)
  • Pollen

Hives and angioedema may also occur after infections or with other illnesses (including autoimmune disorders such as lupus, and leukemia and lymphoma).

A form of angioedema runs in families and has different triggers, complications, and treatments. This is called hereditary angioedema, and it is not discussed in this article.

Symptoms

The main symptom is sudden swelling below the skin surface. You may also develop welts or swelling on the surface of your skin.

The swelling usually occurs around the eyes and lips. It may also be found on the hands, feet, and throat. The swelling may form a line or be more spread out.

The welts are painful and may be itchy. They turn pale and swell if irritated. The deeper swelling of angioedema may also be painful.

Other symptoms may include:

Signs and tests

The doctor will look at your skin and ask you if you have been exposed to any irritating substances. A physical exam might reveal abnormal sounds (stridor) when you breathe in if the throat is affected.

Rarely, the health care provider may perform blood tests or allergy testing.

Treatment

Mild symptoms may not need treatment. Moderate to severe symptoms may need treatment. Breathing difficulty is an emergency condition.

Cool compresses or soaks can provide pain relief.

Medications used to treat angioedema include:

  • Antihistamines
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines (corticosteroids)
  • Epinephrine
  • Ranitidine (Zantac)
  • Terbutaline (a bronchodilator)

If the person has trouble breathing, seek immediate medical help.

See: Breathing difficulties - first aid

At the hospital, a tube may be placed in the throat to keep the airway open.

Expectations (prognosis)

Angioedema that does not affect the breathing may be uncomfortable, but is usually harmless and goes away in a few days.

ComplicationsCalling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if:

  • Angioedema does not respond to treatment
  • It is severe
  • You have never had angioedema before

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:

  • Abnormal breathing sounds (stridor)
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fainting
  • Wheezing
Prevention

To prevent angioedema from coming back:

  • Avoid irritating the affected area.
  • Stay away from known allergens.

Never take medications that are not prescribed for you.

References

Dreskin SC. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 273.

Temino VM, Peebles RS Jr. The spectrum and treatment of angioedema. Am J Med. 2008;121:282-286.

Wasserman SI. Approach to the person with allergic or immunologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 270.

View page

Angioedema is characterized by more diffuse swelling. Swelling of the airways may cause wheezing and respiratory distress. In severe cases, airway obstruction may occur

View page

When the inflammatory reaction involves deeper layers of the skin, urticaria becomes angioedema. The skin, especially the lips and eyelids, swells. The tongue, throat, and parts of the digestive tract may also be involved.

View page

Angioedema may depending on it's cause be accompanied by several symptoms (probably also what you describe), yet abdominal pains in themselves are not known for causing angioedema.

First I would make sure your symptoms fit to angioedema, a self-limited, localized swelling of your skin or the tissue of the mucosa.

In angioedema you have a loss of vascular integrity, which allows fluid to move into the interstitial tissues (inflammatory mediators).

Angioedemas have several different causes and are associated with allergic reactions, can also be drug-induced (NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, fibrinolytic agents) and also are sometimes hereditary (C1 inhibitor deficiency).

If you need a diagnosis I would consult a physician. Good luck to you.

View page

ACE inhibitors can induce angioedema. ACE inhibitors block the enzyme ACE so that it can no longer degrade bradykinin; thus bradykinin accumulates and causes angioedema Consumption of foods which are themselves vasodilators such as alcohol or cinnamon can increase the probability of an angioedema episode in susceptible patients. If the episode occurs at all after the consumption of these foods, its onset may be delayed overnight or by some hours, making the correlation with their consumption somewhat difficult. In contrast, consumption of bromelain in combination with turmeric may be beneficial in reducing symptoms From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 'Angioedema'

View page
Featured study guide
📓
See all Study Guides
✍️
Create a Study Guide
Search results