Angioedema

Angioedema is swelling in the deeper layers of the skin. It happens when fluid builds up there.

Swelling is the main symptom of angioedema. It can show up on any part of the body, including:

• face, particularly the lips, tongue and eyelids
• hands or feet
• genitals

The swollen area may feel hot or painful.

If an allergic reaction has caused the swelling, you may also get a raised, itchy rash (hives).

Sometimes the bowel swells too, and this can cause stomach pain.

In severe cases, the throat may swell, and that can make breathing difficult. This is a medical emergency and needs treatment immediately.

• 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.

• part of your body suddenly becomes swollen (like your hands, feet or genitals)

Call a doctor or the 16263 health line if your doctor's chamber is closed.

The doctor will look at the swollen area and ask you about your symptoms. This helps them decide whether you need any further tests.

Tell your doctor about any medicines you're taking, including ones you buy without a prescription. Painkillers, herbal supplements and vitamins all count.

Don't stop taking any prescribed medicine unless a doctor advises you to.

Angioedema comes in several types, and the cause is different for each one.

• Acute allergic angioedema: an allergic reaction to certain foods, medicines or other substances
• Idiopathic angioedema: the swelling has no obvious cause
• Non-allergic angioedema: the swelling is a side effect of certain medicines, 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 you can get if you have lymphoma (cancer) or lupus

You may not need treatment for angioedema if the swelling is mild or only affects a small area of your body.

You'll usually need emergency treatment in hospital if the swelling is:

• severe
• widespread
• affects your lips, tongue or throat

Treatments for angioedema include:

• antihistamines and corticosteroids, to help reduce swelling
• a different medicine, if you're taking one that seems to be causing your symptoms
• steroid tablets, like prednisolone

If your angioedema keeps coming back (this is called hereditary angioedema), you may also need medicine to stop this.

You may have regular reviews to check if your treatment is working. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, you may need to go back to hospital for further tests and treatment.