If you have raised rashes and swellings
that appear suddenly on certain parts of your body, then you may be
suffering from angioedema or urticaria. These two skin manifestations
are potentially serious because, if the swellings involves the mouth
and the throat, then you could stop breathing. Here is more
information about angioedema and urticaria, their symptoms, causes,
and how doctors treat this condition.
Overview of Angioedema and Urticaria
Angioedema and urticaria are two
separate, but related conditions. Angioedema refers to swelling under
the skin, especially around the lips, eyes, tongue, mouth, genitals,
feet, and hands. Urticaria is the medical name for the raised red
bumps and patches otherwise known as hives. These two conditions are
generally allergy-related, but can be caused by other health
problems.
Symptoms of Angioedema and Urticaria
Angioedema and urticaria symptoms
frequently occur within a few minutes to up to several hours after
exposure to its cause. You may experience symptoms in only one part
of the body, or several at the same time. Common symptoms include:
- Eyes swollen shut
- Rash across forehead, on hands,
feet, or around the groin
- Tongue swelling
- Throat closure
- Breath rattling or wheezing
- Blood pressure drop (anaphylactic
shock)
These symptoms may also be accompanied
by other allergy-like symptoms including swollen sinuses, worsening
asthma, and runny noses and eyes.
Causes of Angioedema and Urticaria
Angioedema and urticaria are most
commonly caused by allergens, but certain types of allergens tend to
provoke this reaction more than others. Also, allergens are not their
only cause. Here are some of the types of allergens and non-allergens
that cause these conditions.
Latex
If you have a latex allergy, then you
will likely develop angioedema and urticaria when you touch this
material. Latex is commonly found in examination gloves, condoms,
rugs, and balloons.
Food
Food allergies can cause severe
swelling around the lips and mouth and sometimes even throat closure.
Common food allergen causes include shellfish, peanuts, and soybeans.
Medications
Some medications, such as penicillin,
sulfa drugs, ibuprofen, and ACE inhibitors can cause angioedema and
urticaria to appear. However, talk to your doctor, first, before
stopping any prescribed medications.
Heredity
Heredity is actually very rare and one
of the least likely causes for angioedema and urticaria. However, if
the doctor cannot find a cause, and you have family members with the
same problem, then the cause could be heredity.
Diagnosis and Treatment of
Angioedema and Urticaria
Diagnosis often begins with taking your
health history and inquiring about any types of foods and medications
that you have eaten or taken when the symptoms started. If the cause
is difficult to pin down, then you may need to take an allergy or
blood test to further narrow down the cause.
Once the cause is found, you may be
instructed to either avoid the allergen, or given medications to
reduce or eliminate the most dangerous reactions. If the cause is
heredity, then your allergy specialist will need to devise a
long-term treatment plan to keep the problem from reoccurring.
Prevention of Angioedema and
Urticaria
The best way to prevent these type of
reactions, especially if they are allergy-related, is to avoid the
allergens completely. If your reactions are so severe as to be
life-threatening, then you will need to carry an epi-pen to prevent
breathing and blood pressure problems. If you can't avoid the cause,
then you may need additional, long-term corticosteroids or
antihistamines to keep the problem from becoming life-threatening.
Angioedema and urticaria are two types
of allergic reactions that are potentially serious, but, most of the
time, they will resolve on their own. However, if you are unable to
identify the cause of your reactions, or you have experienced
breathing problems or sudden blood pressure drops, then contact the
experts at the Allergy
and Asthma Clinic of Fort Worth. We can track down the cause and
provide an appropriate treatment plan for your allergies.
