Angioedema

The acute local swelling occurring around the nose, lips, tongue, larynx, eyes and hands is known as angioedema or angioneurotic oedema. This swelling occurs because the collection of fluid under the deeper layers of the skin becomes very high. This condition can persist for a long time.

In some cases, itchy swelling known as urticaria or hives also appear on the skin.
Angioedema is certain cases occur for which one cannot identify any reason.

Allergic and acute angioedema can occur due to an allergy also. Minor stress conditions as well as surgeries can also cause angioedema.

Symptoms of angioedema

The swelling known as wheals or welts often appear on hands, feet, throat, tongue as well as genitals suddenly and will be have puffiness around them. The symptoms can last for even 72 hours.

Some of the following symptoms can also be noticed:

• Painful and burning hot feeling of the swollen parts
• Pain in abdomen due to stomach swelling, causing diarrhoea and vomitting.
• Swelling of larynx and pharynx
• Conjunctiva swelling

Causes of angioedema

The major cause of this condition is the reaction of immune system in an abnormal way due to some trigger.

Angioedema can also occur due to allergies. Other materials that can trigger this condition are;

• Pollen
• Latex
• Foods like nuts and shellfish
• Over the counter drugs like aspirin
• Shed skin scales of animals
• Insect bites

Inherited angioedema is due to the deficiency of C1 inhibiting factor. Some other causes of angioedema are over exercising, emotional or stress upset, infections like leukaemia and extreme weathers of heat or cold.
Treatment of angioedema

Some of the self help which can be taken for angioedema are:

• Applying cold compression to the affected parts
• Taking a cold shower
• Do not scratch or rub the area affected.
• Wear light and loose clothes.
• Apply the antihistamine creams or lotions available over-the-counter.
• Take antihistamine tablets to reduce the itching.

A doctor will prescribe corticosteroids to lessen the swelling. Antihistamines are prescribed for treating allergies.

Genetic angioedema can be treated with C1 inhibitor injection. Fresh plasma can also be given alternatively.

If the person finds it difficult to breathe in this condition, tracheotomy may be done. An adrenaline injection helps to relieve the person from anaphylactic shock.

Prevention of angioedema

The situations triggering allergic reactions in the past must be avoided. Similarly if there are any substances which cause allergy, those substances must be avoided. Maintain a dairy where in one keeps track of the foods as well as the substances and situations which leads to the angioedema condition.

A sealed syringe which contains the adrenaline injection should always be kept in hand, in cases where the person has already had severe reactions that had resulted in serious difficulties in breathing or other severe effects like unconsciousness or even dizziness. A stock of the adrenaline injection in hand will help the person to help himself or herself with the injection, in such critical situations.