Swelling is a very common symptom of an allergy or allergic reaction and severe cases need the attention of an allergy specialist. Here is everything you need to know about angioedema and how it’s caused.

Angioedema

Angioedema is basically defined as swelling or retention of water or fluids underneath the skin. It is a very common condition that occurs in people who suffer from a lot of allergies. Angioedema is most prevalent under the eyes, around the nose, and the mouth. It can also occur in your hands, feet, and neck as well. It is the condition where water or fluid finds its way into the layer underneath the skin and causes immense swelling.

This can be very prominent, especially during the day, when you just wake up. The swollen area is sometimes painful and red, and other times, it is just a generalized swelling, which can subside over time. Either way, it is not pleasant to go through at all and you need to do something about it.

Causes Of Angioedema

Here are some causes of angioedema:

• It can mainly be caused by some sort of allergic reaction. It is commonly one of the main symptoms of allergies when you get swollen welts on the face, neck, eyes, and other areas where the allergen has affected you.
• It can also be caused by certain foods and sensitivity to foods. Most people who can’t tolerate things like fish, gluten, wheat, nuts, seeds, etc. can get angioedema as an allergic reaction to that certain food. Your body tends to go into self-defense mode, which causes swelling in certain areas. This is your body’s reaction to intolerable foods.
• It can be hereditary or familial. If your family has a history of hives, allergies, and other issues, then it is quite probable that you might experience the same thing as well in the future, or whenever a trigger or allergen comes in contact with your body.
• Blood poisoning can also cause angioedema, especially if you got an untested and unverified blood transfusion from somewhere.
• Diseases like HIV, hepatitis, and lung diseases can also lead to angioedema.

Symptoms Of Angioedema

Here are some symptoms of angioedema.

• The most obvious one is swelling. This can be quite easily detected, because you will feel your face being more protruded and swollen than usual and it will be in unexpected places, like your upper lips, under your eyes, around the mouth, and the crease of your nose, on your hands and feet, etc.
• You will also experience rashes around the area. Sometimes, the welts or swollen parts are not red at all, and sometimes, they can be extremely red, almost burning and the area will also feel extremely hot to the touch.
• You will also experience other symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
• Another quite common symptom is extreme abdominal pain and you might also see swelling in the area.

Treatment For Angioedema

Here are some treatment options for angioedema:

• You need to avoid the triggers as much as you can. Since angioedema is primarily caused by some sort of allergen or trigger, it’s important to not get in contact with it. The allergens can be anything like certain foods, medication, pet dander, hay, dust, etc.
• Antihistamines work extremely well in the case of angioedema. It treats the swelling from the inside and you will feel better in no time at all.
• Other powerful forms of antihistamines are steroids. Steroids work great if you want relief instantly and don’t want to deal with the swelling, but it is not the safest option because steroids do have a lot of side effects.
• You can also use hot and cold compress alternatively on the swollen area to diminish the swelling to a great extent. The hot and cold temperatures will help a lot in giving soothing relief, especially if the swollen area hurts a lot.

Conclusion

There you have it! Angioedema can often happen if you get hives, and it lasts for a day or two, after which it can subside. You will need proper treatment for the reaction to make it go quickly. So, find allergy doctor who can diagnose the problem and prescribe medication or treatment.