The collection of fluid in deep layers of the skin can lead to sudden swelling, known as angioedema. This swelling is commonly seen on patients’ lips, face, tongue, and throat. While this condition’s exact cause remains undetermined, factors like allergic reactions caused by food, insect bites, and treatments may also play an important role. Angioedema can also be hereditary or result from conditions such as cancer, lupus, or an autoimmune thyroid disorder.

Common symptoms
Angioedema presents itself with some hallmark signs and symptoms. These symptoms might help doctors identify and distinguish them from other conditions, making diagnosis faster and easier. Treatment is also determined on the basis of these factors. Here are the most common signs to look out for:

Swelling
Swelling is a signature sign of angioedema, and puffiness of the lips and eyes is a common indicator. Such a symptom may occur in other body regions such as hands, legs, and feet. The patient’s throat and tongue might also be affected by swelling, leading to difficulty in activities like eating and breathing. Another potential issue is that the patient’s food pipe and airways can also be obstructed. Swelling associated with this condition is non-pitting, so it doesn’t indent before retaining form when pressed upon.

Redness
Such a sign can occur alongside the swelling of the skin or might be present on its own. The redness may be present as tiny spots in one or multiple places. Such patches of skin can be flat or slightly raised; these may even turn pale when pressed upon, but it returns to red once the pressure is released. Alternatively, redness of the skin might also be present on the edges of swollen skin patches.

Rashes
Those with angioedema can develop rashes anywhere on their skin. Such a symptom forms a cluster of small reddish bumps on a skin patch. Sometimes, the rashes may appear as flat red skin patches instead of bumpy.

Dizziness and patchy welts
Changes observed in a patient’s skin with angioedema may, for instance, be accompanied by mild to moderate dizziness. One may have raised patches of skin that are either red or pink. These slightly raised patches are often considered welts.

Upset stomach
Angioedema may be associated with symptoms like an upset stomach or abdominal discomfort. At times, this sign is accompanied by other symptoms that lead to the diagnosis of hereditary angioedema or, in some cases, allergy. At other times, an upset stomach may be the only indication symptom of angioedema.

Uncommon symptoms
Patients that are at risk of developing this condition might also show the presence of some other not-so-common symptoms:

Breathing difficulties
Swelling due to angioedema may sometimes extend to the respiratory tract, though it is not generally the case. When it does, the swollen airway can result in difficulties in breathing. The obstructed airway can, at times, lead to other complications like sleep apnea.

Diarrhea
Mild diarrhea can be seen as a rare symptom of angioedema. This symptom is seen less often than most other symptoms associated with the condition. Diarrhea is seen as a result of swelling up of the digestive system. It is often accompanied by other symptoms of angioedema and may occur on its own in rare cases.

Itching
Occasionally, the itching and redness that results from angioedema might also be accompanied by itching. Although itchy skin might not always indicate angioedema, it can be a symptom of other skin conditions like contact dermatitis.

Tingling and burning
Swelling from angioedema may show up with some non-painful sensations. Tingling is among those non-painful feelings. A burning sensation often accompanies swelling, the same applies to patients with angioedema.

Trouble eating
Since one can have a swollen throat and tongue, it can cause difficulty in the act of chewing and swallowing food. The physical interference in chewing and swallowing can make it difficult to maintain the body’s nutritional needs. The swollen parts might also pose a choking risk.

Angioedema is treated according to the causes and the severity of the symptoms. In mild cases, the patient may not always require treatment. In cases where treatment is warranted, the doctor might prescribe antihistamines that deal with allergic reactions. However, a different approach is required for patients with hereditary angioedema. This treatment includes using options like bradykinin B2-receptor antagonists and kallikrein and C1 inhibitors. In most cases, doctors use epinephrin to prevent anaphylactic shock in patients with this condition. One needs always to ensure that the patient’s airway is open and they have enough oxygen passing through.