Angioedema

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Angioedema

Alternative Names:

Angioneurotic edema; Welts

Treatment:

Mild symptoms may not need treatment. Moderate to severe symptoms may need treatment. Breathing difficult or stridor is an emergency condition.

Cool compresses or soaks can provide pain relief.

Medications include

antihistamines
adrenaline (epinephrine)
terbutaline (a bronchodilator)
cimetidine (Tagamet)
corticosteroids
sedatives
tranquilizers

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.

Complications:

Life-threatening airway obstruction (if swelling occurs in the throat)
Anaphylactic reaction

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have never had angioedema before, if it is severe, or does not respond to treatment.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if difficulty breathing, wheezing, stridor, or fainting occurs with an episode of angioedema.

References:

Kaplan AP. Angioedema. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sept 2005; 53(3): 373-88.

Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, Inc. 2004:129.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:1623.

Review Date: 10/31/2005
Reviewed By: Frederic F. Little, M.D., Department of Allergy and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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