Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon SymptomsLess Common SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a DoctorFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Angioedema GuideCauses of Angioedema

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Common Symptoms

Less Common Symptoms

Complications

When to See a Doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Angioedema Guide

Angioedemais swelling under the skin that often happens as an allergic reaction. Symptoms ofangioedemainclude swelling of the eyes, lips, hands, feet, legs, or genitals.Other common angioedema symptoms include:

Less common angioedema symptoms include:

Angioedema symptoms come on suddenly and range in severity but are rarely life-threatening. This article discusses angioedema symptoms, possible complications, and when you should see a healthcare provider.

© Verywell, 2018

angioedema symptoms

Common Symptoms of Angioedema

Symptoms of angioedema can appear alongside other allergy symptoms, such as hives.This may happen if the trigger is something you’re allergic to, such asfood, medications,clothing,cosmetics, or aninsect bite. In cases of allergy, angioedema progresses rapidly within a few hours and can resolve as quickly as it started, particularly if appropriate treatment is given.

At other times, angioedema symptoms may begin without an identifiable reason. If you have hereditary angioedema, symptoms can occur spontaneously without a specific trigger, or they may occur in times of stress like during or after surgery or illness. In these cases, angioedema symptoms can develop more slowly over a couple of days.

The most common symptoms of angioedema include:

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoAngioedema

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

swelling in the hand

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.

A person with angioedema swelling of the lip or lips

Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.

Less Common Symptoms of Angioedema

Less common symptoms of angioedema include sensory changes of the skin, GI problems, and trouble breathing. For example:

Generally, angioedema resolves on its own or withtreatment. However, while it is not common, angioedema can cause serious, or even life threatening, complications.

Complications of angioedema include:

It is not possible to predict whether your symptoms will become worse, especially if you have not had angioedema before. And, because the symptoms of angioedema are so sudden and often vague, it is hard to know what is happening. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical attention:

Angioedema is the abrupt swelling of the skin, mucous membranes, or both. It differs fromhives (urticaria)in that the swelling occurs in deep tissues. Angioedema mainly affects the lips, face, and extremities, but can also occur on the genitals,larynx(windpipe), and gut. It frequently occurs with urticaria but can alsooccurr on its own.

Allergic angioedema occurs when theimmune systemreacts abnormally to anallergenand releaseshistamineinto the bloodstream. Histamine causes the rapid dilation of blood vessels as well as the leakage of fluid into surrounding tissues, leading to angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema is a genetic condition that leads to decreased quantity or activity of an anti-inflammatory substance known as C1 inhibitor. The lack of C1 inhibitor enables the unchecked production of a compound called bradykinin that triggers the dilation of blood vessels. The unprovoked dilation along with the leakage of fluid lead to angioedema.

Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Angioedema

Learn MoreSymptoms of Hereditary Angioedema

When angioedema affects the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.When it affects the larynx, it can become life-threatening, causing airway restriction and possible suffocation. Angioedema may also be a feature of a life-threatening, whole-body allergy known asanaphylaxis.Learn MoreHow Anaphylaxis Is Treated

When angioedema affects the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.When it affects the larynx, it can become life-threatening, causing airway restriction and possible suffocation. Angioedema may also be a feature of a life-threatening, whole-body allergy known asanaphylaxis.

Learn MoreHow Anaphylaxis Is Treated

Mild cases of angioedema may not need treatment. If treatment is needed, over-the-counter or prescriptionantihistaminesmay be prescribed. For hereditary angioedema, a chronic condition, treatments include: C1 inhibitor, bradykinin B2-receptor antagonists, and kallikrein inhibitors. For anaphylaxis, the rapid administration ofinjected epinephrineis needed to preventanaphylactic shockand other potentially life-threatening symptoms.

How Angioedema Is Treated

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tarbox JA, Bansal A, Peiris AN.Angioedema. JAMA. 2018;319(19):2054. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.4860Banerji A, Sheffer AL.The spectrum of chronic angioedema. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009;30(1):11-6. doi:10.2500/aap.2009.30.3188Bork K.Recurrent angioedema and the threat of asphyxiation. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2010;107(23):408-14. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2010.0408Memon R, Tiwari V.Angioedema. In:StatPearls [Internet].McLendon K, Sternard BT.Anaphylaxis. In:StatPearls [Internet].Additional ReadingBernstein JA, Cremonesi P, Hoffmann TK, Hollingsworth J.Angioedema in the emergency department: a practical guide to differential diagnosis and management.Int J Emerg Med. 2017 Dec;10(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s12245-017-0141-z. Epub 2017 Apr 13.Gill P, Betschel SD.The Clinical Evaluation of Angioedema. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2017 Aug;37(3):449-466. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2017.04.007.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tarbox JA, Bansal A, Peiris AN.Angioedema. JAMA. 2018;319(19):2054. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.4860Banerji A, Sheffer AL.The spectrum of chronic angioedema. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009;30(1):11-6. doi:10.2500/aap.2009.30.3188Bork K.Recurrent angioedema and the threat of asphyxiation. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2010;107(23):408-14. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2010.0408Memon R, Tiwari V.Angioedema. In:StatPearls [Internet].McLendon K, Sternard BT.Anaphylaxis. In:StatPearls [Internet].Additional ReadingBernstein JA, Cremonesi P, Hoffmann TK, Hollingsworth J.Angioedema in the emergency department: a practical guide to differential diagnosis and management.Int J Emerg Med. 2017 Dec;10(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s12245-017-0141-z. Epub 2017 Apr 13.Gill P, Betschel SD.The Clinical Evaluation of Angioedema. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2017 Aug;37(3):449-466. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2017.04.007.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Tarbox JA, Bansal A, Peiris AN.Angioedema. JAMA. 2018;319(19):2054. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.4860Banerji A, Sheffer AL.The spectrum of chronic angioedema. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009;30(1):11-6. doi:10.2500/aap.2009.30.3188Bork K.Recurrent angioedema and the threat of asphyxiation. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2010;107(23):408-14. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2010.0408Memon R, Tiwari V.Angioedema. In:StatPearls [Internet].McLendon K, Sternard BT.Anaphylaxis. In:StatPearls [Internet].

Tarbox JA, Bansal A, Peiris AN.Angioedema. JAMA. 2018;319(19):2054. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.4860

Banerji A, Sheffer AL.The spectrum of chronic angioedema. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009;30(1):11-6. doi:10.2500/aap.2009.30.3188

Bork K.Recurrent angioedema and the threat of asphyxiation. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2010;107(23):408-14. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2010.0408

Memon R, Tiwari V.Angioedema. In:StatPearls [Internet].

McLendon K, Sternard BT.Anaphylaxis. In:StatPearls [Internet].

Bernstein JA, Cremonesi P, Hoffmann TK, Hollingsworth J.Angioedema in the emergency department: a practical guide to differential diagnosis and management.Int J Emerg Med. 2017 Dec;10(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s12245-017-0141-z. Epub 2017 Apr 13.Gill P, Betschel SD.The Clinical Evaluation of Angioedema. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2017 Aug;37(3):449-466. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2017.04.007.

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