immune disorders
Angioedema
Symptoms of Angioedema
In angioedema, swelling may not be equal on both sides of the body, and it can be mildly painful. It can affect the back of the hands or feet, eyelids, tongue, face, lips, or genitals. Sometimes the membranes lining the mouth, throat, and airways swell, making swallowing or breathing difficult. Occasionally, the digestive tract is involved, resulting in nausea, vomiting, crampy abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Many people also have Hives . Hives usually begin with itching. Typically, crops of hives then come and go. One spot may remain for several hours, then disappear, and later, another may appear elsewhere. After the hive disappears, the skin usually looks completely normal. People may have an Anaphylactic Reactions (a sudden, widespread, sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction). Blood pressure may become dangerously low (shock). This photo shows swelling of the lips in a person with hereditary angioedema. By permission of the publisher. From Joe E, Soter N. In Current Dermatologic Diagnosis and Treatment, edited by I Freedberg, IM Freedberg, and MR Sanchez. Philadelphia, Current Medicine, 2001. This person has a swollen tongue due to angioedema. SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY This person has swollen lips due to angioedema. DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY 