Contents
What is Angioedema?
Angioedema is a swelling similar to hives, which has symptoms such as itching and reddish skin, but the difference is that angioedema occurs in the deeper layers of the skin. It usually occurs on the lip, around the eyes, hands, feet and genital area.
The problem usually affects between 10% and 20% of the world population. Anyone can suffer from this problem, be it man, woman and of any ethnicity.
Causes
Angioedema can arise for several causes that will be mentioned below:
Hereditary
It is rare, but it can happen. It is related to the malfunction of blood proteins that regulate the immune system.
Medicines
Painkillers and blood pressure-related medications are the most common causes of angioedema, but any medication can bring the problem to health.
Common allergies
There are specific substances that are known to cause allergies, such as:
- Pollen;
- Insect bites;
- Animal hair;
- Latex.
Food
Food can cause angioedema. The most common are:
- Seafood;
- Peanut;
- This;
- Milk;
- Nuts.
Idiopathic
Idiopathic causes are characterized by environmental factors, such as:
- Hot;
- Frio;
- Water;
- Pressure;
- Sol;
- Sweat;
- Stress.
Underlying medical conditions
Angioedema can arise as a response to problems, such as:
- Autoimmune diseases;
- Blood transfusions;
- Cancer;
- Thyroid disorders;
- Infections caused by bacteria.
Risk factors
Despite being a common problem, if some factors occur, they can be life-threatening. Some of the known factors:
- Having a family history of angioedema;
- Having had angioedema previously;
- Have or have had allergic reactions;
- Have an angioedema-related disorder, such as lymphoma, lupus, or thyroid-related diseases.
Symptoms
Angioedema, in some cases, causes swelling, but does not cause pain or itching, and usually lasts up to 3 days.
In other cases, the symptoms may be:
- Pain in the swollen spot;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Sensation of heat in the affected region;
- Skin rashes;
- Abdominal cramps;
- Chemosis (swelling in the conjunctiva of the eyes).
Diagnosis
It is usually possible to treat angioedema at home, and within three days, the symptoms disappear. It is necessary to consult the doctor if different symptoms appear, such as:
- Feeling of tightness in the chest;
- Swelling of the tongue or throat;
- Too much trouble breathing.
If this happens, the experts indicated are:
- Dermatologist;
- Angiologist;
- Cardiologist;
- Immunologist;
- General practitioner.
In order for the diagnosis to be given more accurately and faster, the patient can go to the office with some information already raised, such as:
- When did the symptoms appear?
- Are there welts on the skin? Since when?
- Does angioedema hurt?
- Do you have abdominal colic?
These and other questions will be asked by the doctor and, if the patient already has the answers ready, the diagnosis can be made in advance. Another important factor is the history of the patient and his family.
The doctor will examine the patient and, if necessary, some tests can be done, such as blood and allergy tests .
Treatment for Angioedema
If the symptoms are mild, treatment does not need to be done. But if you need treatment, it will be done with medication. They are antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, pain relievers, corticosteroids and medicines for circulation.
The most indicated medications are:
- Hixizine.
- Celestone.
- Betametasona.
- Duoflam .
- Flavonid.
- Diosmin.
- Hydrochlorothiazide .
Angioedema has a cure, only the hereditary type does not have it.
It is important to emphasize that only the specialized doctor is indicated to give the treatment to the patient. Never self-medicate, as symptoms can get worse and harm your health.
If you treat with supplements, you can reduce your symptoms. Using natural herbal remedies can also be a good option that does not have so many side effects and damage to health.
Supplements generally indicated are vitamin C and vitamin B12. And the herbal remedies are:
- Hydrastis canadensis ;
- Yellow root;
- Goldenseal;
- Glycyrrhiza glabra;
- Chamomile.
Attention!
NEVER self-medicate or stop using a medication without first consulting a doctor. Only he will be able to tell which medication, dosage and duration of treatment is the most suitable for his specific case. The information contained on this site is only intended to inform, not in any way intended to replace the guidance of a specialist or serve as a recommendation for any type of treatment. Always follow the instructions on the package insert and, if symptoms persist, seek medical or pharmaceutical advice.
Complications of Angioedema
There are two well-known complications of angioedema. Anaphylactic reaction is one of them, and the other is the blockage of the airways if the swelling occurs in the tongue or throat.
How to live with the problem?
As already mentioned in the previous topics, if the symptoms are not severe, the treatment can be done at home. Therefore, some home care will be indicated to reduce the symptoms of angioedema:
- Use antiallergic medications to reduce itching;
- Make ice pack (with the help of cloths or towels so that it does not touch the skin directly);
- Take a fresh shower;
- Avoid being close to possible causes of angioedema, such as pollen, dust, animal hair and others;
- Wear comfortable clothing to avoid skin irritation.
Prevention
When the type of angioedema is hereditary, there is nothing you can do to prevent the problem. But if it is caused by allergic factors, avoiding contact with the allergen is the best way to avoid the problem. The same is true in cases of medication angioedema.
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