Angioedema

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Angioneurotic edema; Welts

The main symptom is sudden swelling below the skin surface. You may also develop welts or swelling on the surface of your skin.

The swelling usually occurs around the eyes and lips. It may also be found on the hands, feet, and throat. The swelling may form a line or be more spread out.

The welts are painful and may be itchy. They turn pale and swell if irritated. The deeper swelling of angioedema may also be painful.

Other symptoms may include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Breathing difficulty
• Swollen eyes and mouth
• Swollen lining of the eyes (chemosis)

The doctor will look at your skin and ask you if you have been exposed to any irritating substances. A physical exam might reveal abnormal sounds (stridor) when you breathe in if the throat is affected.

Rarely, the health care provider may perform blood tests or allergy testing.

Review Date: 05/16/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III., MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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