Angioedema
Angioedema
Angioedema means swelling in the deeper layers of the skin. It happens when fluid builds up underneath.
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
Phone 999 if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and can’t be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised or itchy.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Contact your GP practice urgently if:
- part of your body suddenly becomes swollen (like your hands, feet or genitals)
Phone 111 if your GP practice is closed.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Phone 999 if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and can’t be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised or itchy.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Contact your GP practice urgently if:
- part of your body suddenly becomes swollen (like your hands, feet or genitals)
Phone 111 if your GP practice is closed.
Diagnosis
Your healthcare professional will look at the swollen area and ask about your symptoms. This helps them decide if you need any further tests.
Tell your doctor about any medications you're taking, including over-the-counter ones such as painkillers, herbal supplements and vitamins.
Do not stop taking any prescribed medication unless a healthcare professional advises you to.
Types of angioedema
There are different types of angioedema:
- acute allergic angioedema, an allergic reaction to certain foods, medicines or other substances
- idiopathic angioedema, when there's no obvious cause
- non-allergic angioedema, where the swelling is a side effect of certain medications, most often angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- hereditary angioedema, a rare type that's often inherited from your parents
- acquired angioedema, a very rare type that can occur if you have lymphoma (cancer) or lupus
Treatment
Angioedema often needs no treatment if it is mild or only affects a small area of your body. But if the swelling is severe, widespread, or affects your lips, tongue or throat, you will usually need emergency treatment in hospital.
Treatment options include antihistamines and corticosteroids to help bring the swelling down, switching to a different medicine if the one you are taking seems to be causing your symptoms, and steroid tablets such as prednisolone.
If your angioedema keeps coming back (hereditary angioedema), you may also need medicine to help stop this happening. You may have regular check ups to see how well your treatment is working, and if your symptoms do not improve or get worse, you may need to return to hospital for further tests and treatment.