angioedema
Also known as Angioneurotic oedema, Quincke's edema, angioneurotic edema, giant urticaria, Giant Urticarias, Quincke Edema, Angioedemas, Urticarias, Giant
Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Angioedema
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- Angioedema, Quincke's edema, angioneurotic edema
- Medical condition (new).image
- Angioedema2010.JPG
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Allergic angioedema: this child is unable to open his eyes due to the swelling.
- Medical condition (new).field
- Allergy and immunology, emergency medicine
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- Area of swelling
- Medical condition (new).onset
- Minutes to hours
- Medical condition (new).types
- Histamine mediated, bradykinin mediated
- Medical condition (new).risks
- Family history
- Medical condition (new).diagnosis
- Based on symptoms
- Medical condition (new).differential
- Anaphylaxis, abscess, contact dermatitis
~14 min read
Article
16 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Pathophysiology
- Diagnosis
- Acquired angioedema
- Hereditary angioedema
- Management
- Allergic
- Drug induced
- Hereditary
- Acquired, HAE types I and II, and nonhistaminergic
- Prophylaxis for HAE
- Epidemiology
- History
- See also
- References
- External links
Angioedema is an area of swelling (edema) of the lower layer of skin and tissue just under the skin or mucous membranes. The swelling may occur in the face, tongue, larynx, abdomen, or arms and legs. Often it is associated with hives, which are swelling within the upper skin. Onset is typically over minutes to hours.
The underlying mechanism typically involves histamine or bradykinin. The version related to histamine is due to an allergic reaction to agents such as insect bites, foods, or medications. The version related to bradykinin may occur due to an inherited problem known as C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency, medications known as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or a lymphoproliferative disorder.