Quincke's edema: to be treated urgently
Angioedema is rapid swelling of the skin, mucous membranes, and submucosal tissue, most often caused by an allergic reaction. This serious condition, also known as angioedema or angioneurotic edema, can have a dramatic outcome, justifying a medical emergency.
Causes and symptoms
Angioedema is most often caused by an allergic reaction. In this reaction, the body will release histamine, a chemical that causes tissue in the face and airways to swell, associated with severe burning and sometimes hives. It can last from a few minutes to a few hours and sometimes involve the genitals. The lips, tongue, eyelids, but also the pharynx and larynx can be affected and swell to block the airways.
It is the absorption of foods such as seafood, strawberries, by an insect bite or by taking drugs such as antibiotics, penicillin or aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs that can trigger the reaction. allergic. Although it is not necessarily clear what may have triggered this serious allergy.
Another cause likely to cause angioedema, non-allergic, a rare disease, angio-neurotic edema, most often hereditary.
Evolution and treatment
Angioedema, if left untreated, can be fatal, in fact the swelling of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract can prevent the air from passing and cause asphyxiation: it is respiratory arrest.
In addition, this allergic reaction is sometimes associated with a sudden stop of blood circulation: it is anaphylactic shock, which is acute circulatory failure, of allergic origin, which can also be fatal.
Angioedema requires emergency treatment, especially if the patient experiences difficulty in breathing. It is recommended that you go to the nearest hospital emergency room, or call 15 or 112. If the edema only affects the skin, taking antihistamines is sufficient. If the airways are affected, the solution is an injection of adrenaline and fast-acting corticosteroids. But if the swelling continues, immediate transfer to intensive care is essential.
The only prevention is to identify and remove the allergen that triggered the edema. But it remains unknown in many cases, thus not offering the possibility of preventing new edema. And in the event of attack of the pharynx or the laynx, it is imperative to have a first aid kit including an epinephrine pen-injector, an antihistamine and a corticosteroid.
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