Angioedema

Angioedema is the swelling of the deeper layers of the skin, caused by a build-up of fluid.

The symptoms of angioedema can affect any part of the body, but swelling usually affects the:

eyes lips genitals hands feet

Many people with angioedema also experience urticaria (hives). This is a raised, red and itchy rash that appears on the skin.

Angioedema can cause swelling in any part of the body, including the lips.Source: https://dermnetnz.org/

Angioedema can cause swelling around the eye.Source: https://dermnetnz.org/

Symptoms

The main sign of angioedema is swelling that develops below the skin’s surface.


As well as visible swellings, angioedema can cause other symptoms, including:

a hot or painful sensation in the swollen areas swelling of the inside of the throat, the windpipe and the tongue, making breathing difficult swelling of the conjunctiva (the transparent layer of cells that cover the white part of the eye), which affects vision

People with hereditary angioedema may also experience:

abdominal (stomach) pain caused by swelling in the stomach and bowel, which can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea swelling of the bladder or urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the genitals), which can cause bladder problems and difficulty passing urine