Understanding Hives Angioedema?

Hives angioedema, though two completely different skin problems are very closely related to each other. Hives is a skin problem characterized by pale or pink raised wheals which sometimes are surrounded by a red halo and usually are itchy in nature.

Angioedema is a skin problem characterized by the rapid swelling of large areas of dermis or tissues just below the skin. It is not itchy in nature but the patient may feel a burning sensation.

Any of these two problems can cause extreme distress,  but having both of these at once can make life very difficult for the patient.  If you are having this problem, you need to get treatment from a doctor promptly.

Want to read more about hives angioedema? Read here.

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Hives, Angioedema; these two have a close association and sometimes are similar in appearance as well. Their evaluation and management, and the triggers are also pretty much the same. For better understanding of hives angioedema, let me define these two terms separately for you.

Hives is a skin problem characterized by the pale or pink raised swellings (welts) which sometimes are surrounded by a red halo and usually are itchy in nature. It is called urticaria in medical language so instead of hives angioedema we can also say urticaria angioedema. They can appear on any part of the body due to allergic as well as non-allergic causes. Acute hives vanish themselves within a few hours after their outbreak whereas the chronic hives may last up to years.

Angioedema is a skin problem characterized by the rapid swelling of large areas of dermis or tissues just below the skin. It is not itchy in nature but the patient may feel a burning sensation in the affected area. The swelling may occur anywhere but typically it is found around the eyes and lips. If the tongue and throat get swelled up, you should instantly consult a doctor as it can block the upper airway and can be life threatening.

There are some common triggers that may result in the outbreak of either hives or angioedema. These triggers include certain allergies (e.g. food allergy, pollen allergy), insect bites (e.g. a wasp or ladybug), autoimmune reactions and physical triggers (e.g. extreme temperature).

Hives and Angioedema

If hives and angioedema occur together they can create a great nuisance and can be severe. In most of the cases, angioedema and hives are undamaging and don not leave any permanent marks on the skin, sometimes you even do not need any treatment. On the other hand there are some severe cases which need to be treated as medical emergency. The most frequently opted for common treatment for both hives and angioedema is the ingestion of certain antihistamines which counter the effect of histamine release.

How to Manage Hereditary Angioedema Attacks and What is ACEI Induced Angioedema?

People suffering from angioedema want to know more about it and it’s certain subtypes. Many of them are searching for information about hereditary angioedema attacks and ACEI induced angioedema which is also called ACE inhibitor induced angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema occurs due the deficiency of C1 inhibitors and it passes down the family. Actually, hereditary angioedema attacks are recurrent episodes of pain that can make your life misery. On the other hand ACEI induced angioedema is caused by a diverse side effect of ACE inhibitor therapy. If you are developing the symptoms of angioedema during your therapy, an immediate withdrawal of the therapy must be followed by alternate drugs to control the situation.

Want to learn more about hereditary angioedema & ACEI angioedema? Read here.

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This article explains the basic details of hereditary angioedema attacks and ACEI induced angioedema (also called ACE inhibitor induced angioedema). For better understanding, the article is divided in two parts: the first one explains hereditary angioedema attacks whereas the second one entails ACEI induced angioedema. The major symptom of angioedema is the swelling caused which usually occurs on eyes and lips. This is why that sometimes it is also called facial angioedema.

Hereditary angioedema attacks are usually recurrent episodes of pain without any known or obvious cause. These attacks can be severely painful and disabling. These attacks typically cause severe abdominal pain and cramping in the abdomen. The symptoms are pretty much similar to these of acute abdomen hence can lead to an unnecessary keyhole or abdominal surgery.

The common and obvious sign of hereditary angioedema is swelling, that develops rapidly on the eyes, lips, tongue and sometimes throat. However, it is not limited to these areas, and can also be affect hands, feet, genitals etc. But in some cases the attacks of abdominal pain can be the sole symptom. Urticaria (hives) may also develop along with it. Severe swelling in the throat or tongue can cause blockage in the upper airway and even suffocation. The patient must avoid the triggering factors and proper diagnosis should be carried out before any treatment.

ACEI induced angioedema is bradykinin-mediated, just like in case of hereditary angioedema as well as acquired angioedema. It is outbreaks as an adverse effect of ACE inhibitor therapy. Thought it is very uncommon yet it can be life threatening and must be avoided. It symptoms can appear within a few weeks of months of the therapy however in most of the cases it takes years to appear. Black people are more prone to this disease as compared tow whites. If any symptom observed, an immediate withdrawal of ACE inhibitor is required which must be followed by long term alternate therapy with different drugs to keep hypertension and heart failure under control.

Common Hereditary Angioedema Symptoms, which are helpful in Angioedema Diagnosis?

Today I am about to tell you  the symptoms of one of the most feared skin problems, hereditary angioedema symptoms. These symptoms are of great use in angioedema diagnosis and treatment.

The most common symptoms of hereditary angioedema besides swelling, are abdominal pain caused by swelling in the stomach and bowel, vomiting, swelling of legs, abdominal pain, cramps, and dehydration. If you experience swelling accompanied by any of these symptoms, you should promptly consult a qualified doctor for proper angioedema diagnosis and treatment.

Do you want to read more about hereditary angioedema symptoms, angioedema diagnosis? Read here and read the detailed article.

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Certain hereditary angioedema symptoms can help when you are visiting the doctor for angioedema diagnosis. All this really makes the treatment and management of your skin problem easy. The rest of the article describes how this symptoms â& diagnosis phenomenon works.

Hereditary angioedema, a rare but extremely dangerous disease, passes down the families and can be life taking. Here are certain hereditary angioedema symptoms for your knowledge, but it is recommended that you should consult a professional for proper diagnosis and clear-cut hereditary angioedema treatment.

The most common symptom of hereditary angioedema is swelling around the lips, eyes hands, feet, tongue and throat. Another common symptom is abdominal pain caused by swelling in the stomach and bowel. In some cases swelling of the bladder or urethra has also been reported. Other common symptoms include swelling of the tongue and throat, vomiting, swelling of legs, abdominal pain and cramps, and dehydration.

Sometimes, the intestines of the patient may also swell up causing cramping and sever pain. Another not very common symptom for hereditary angioedema is the outbreak of hives (urticaria) on certain parts of the body. In severer cases airway blockage and hoarseness is also observed. Remember, angioedema swelling is not itchy but it may cause a burning sensation.

Now let us discuss the details of angioedema diagnosis. When you visit a doctor for diagnosis he/she will examine your skin to check if there is any swelling and ask you if you have been exposed to any allergies or other irritating substances which may trigger angioedema.

Urine and blood test may also be considered during the diagnosis. In people prone to allergies, allergy testing is also carried out. The most obvious sign of angioedema is the deficiency of C1-Inhibitor. A proper diagnosis is very important for the future management of this unwanted lethal skin problem.

About Angioedema and Related Conditions?

Angioedema is characterized by swelling around different parts of the body, usually on the face around the eyes and lips. The swelling is usually painless but angioedema, especially hereditary angioedema (HAE) can be fatal. Therefore a timely diagnosis and proper angioedema treatment should be carried out.

Angioedema has urticaria (hives) as the most common related condition. Hives are the red itchy wheals that can erupt anywhere on the body. However, there are certain other disorders that may also occur in relation to angioedema including abdominal pain which usually resembles acute abdomen, vomiting and cramping in the belly.

High blood pressure is also expected in severe cases. Angioedema swelling can occur anywhere but it can cause upper airway compromise, which can be deadly and must be treated as medical emergency.

Make sure you do not miss my next post in a week about angioedema pathophysiology ,which will have excellent information, for those who are suffering from this deadly disease.

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What Are The Four Most Important Points To Consider When Managing Angioedema?

Individuals suffering from angioedema, especially hereditary angioedema (HAE) are mostly desperate and scared. Angioedema treatment can be an extended and agonizing experience and sometime the pain can cross the persons limits.

The following four points can be a true blessing for the sufferers.

i) Learn what are the main causes and triggers which play a role in the outbreak of angioedema and avoid them.
ii) Make a list of offending stimuli, allergens or foods that can cause allergies, eggs, nuts, wheat, dairy products etc. and avoid them.
iii) Unnecessarily touching or rubbing the rashes can cause the swelling to increase the pain, therefore must be avoided.
iv) Any form of angioedema must be given serious attention, however, if the swelling causes a danger of upper airway compromise, the case should be treated as a medical emergency.

Do not forget to read about invaluable angioedema and related conditions in my post next week.

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It is good to know about HAE Angioedema or Hereditary Angioedema HAE?

Well, it is quite difficult to tell whether hereditary angioedema has more diverse effects or more names. It is called HAE, HAE angioedema, hereditary angioedema HAE and the list goes on and one. Whatever you call it, it can make your life a misery or even take your life!

HAE angioedema passes down in families and can be characterized by the swelling on the lips, eyes, tongue or throat.

Acquired angioedema might be a milder form of the disease but hereditary angioedema needs serious medical attention.You should also educate yourself as much as possible about this disease.

If you want to read more about hereditary angioedema HAE, read here.

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HAE angioedema is the ellipsis for hereditary angioedema HAE. This is the most lethal and feared form of the angioedema not only as it passes down the families but it has a higher mortality rate as compared to its counterpart i.e. acquired angioedema. Last but by no means the least; hereditary angioedema treatment is also a lot thornier than any of its other form. In the rest of the article I will describe the details of this skin problem and how you can manage it.

Angioedema is a rapid swelling of skin possibly due allergic as well as non-allergic causes. If this disease is a familial problem and has been progressing in your family, then it is called hereditary angioedema (HAE) or familial angioedema. It is an extremely rare auto-somal dominant disorder of C1 inhibitor i.e. C1-INH, deficiency manifested by painless swelling.

The most common and obvious symptom of hereditary angioedema is swelling, which can develop abruptly on the eyes, lips, tongue and throat. However, it is not limited to these areas only, and any other part of the body can also be affected e.g. hands and feet. Urticaria (hives) may also develop along with it. Swelling in the throat or tongue can cause blockage in the upper airway. This may result in difficulty in breathing and even suffocation.

As symptoms of hereditary angioedema HAE diagnosis resemble those of other common disorders, it can go on for a long time without being detected. Its diagnosis is typically made on the clinical picture and routine blood tests are performed. The tryptase levels of mast cell may be lofty if the attack was due to an acute allergic reaction.

As said earlier, hereditary angioedema treatments are more difficult and need serious medical attention. You may have an allergy test with the professional. You may also get urine and blood tested in order to find, whether you are infected with angioedema or not. If the results are positive, it can be cured with certain therapies or antihistamines. If you experience difficulty in breathing, try to go in open air and breathe slowly and consult a doctor. The foremost thing is avoiding any other drugs when you are infected with HAE angioedema.

How to avoid Cold Angioedema & Angioedema Allergies?

If your grandma told you to cover your body properly in winter then she was absolutely right! If you do not, you have the danger of falling a victim to cold angioedema. Another disease I am going to discuss today is angioedema allergies.

Cold angioedema, sometimes also referred to as cold induced angioedema, is a subtype of physical induced angioedema and is caused by extremely cold stimulus. Angioedema allergies can occur in response to diverse allergens including certain drugs, foods, pollen and more.

If you are looking for more valuable information about cold angioedema or angioedema allergies, read here to read my detailed guide.

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This article explains Cold Angioedema and some common Angioedema Allergies. To make it simple for you I am dividing this article into two virtual parts: the first one explains cold angioedema and the second one is about most commonly found Angioedema Allergies and how they can affect you. In the end there are some valuable tips for idiopathic angioedema treatment.

Cold angioedema, sometimes also referred to as cold induced angioedema, is a subtype of physical induced angioedema and just like its other co-subtypes; it is also caused by a physical agent i.e. cold. Recent reports have revealed that cold angioedema has a close association with paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria, cryofibrinogenemia, and also cold agglutinin disease. If you are suffering from cold angioedema and it is accompanied by any of the previously mentioned disease, you should consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Most of the angioedema allergies occur in response to different allergens. People, especially with hereditary angioedema, need to avoid these allergens but unluckily this is not an easy job to do. The reason is that allergens are present all around us, in the air we breathe in, the water we drink etc. However, taking certain precautionary measures can help reduce the chances of its occurrence.

There are many drugs e.g. Beta blockers, ACE-inhibitors Aspirin and NSAIDs and many food items e.g. wheat, eggs, peanuts can also act as allergen and trigger angioedema allergies. These drugs should be avoided as much as possible by the patient and a comprehensive list can be prepared with the help of a professional doctor.

Idiopathic Angioedema Treatment

Though idiopathic angioedema treatment is a tough row to hoe yet certain therapies e.g. airway management, certain drugs i.e. antihistamines can help. The first thing to do is have all the necessary tests and avoid all the allergens and triggers.

Patients who do not have severe conditions can be treated the same way as those of allergic angioedema. However, severe cases require intake of epinephrine, H1 and H2 blockers, and steroids in addition to the intake of antihistamines. Epinephrine has been a great success in case of acquired angioedema treatment, but in hereditary angioedema results may vary.

Understanding Chronic Angioedema & Allergic Angioedema?

Chronic diseases can be difficult to deal with due to their persisting nature. The same is true with chronic angioedema. Although allergic angioedema may not last long,  it can also be a great bother because of its pain and the lumps on your face.

Chronic angioedema, a common form of angioedema, is recurring in nature and usually stays around for more than six weeks and reappears twice a week.

Allergic angioedema typically occurs in response to several allergies including pollen allergy, skin allergy or even a food allergy.

Your only way out is to learn more about these two diseases and  then you can cope with them.

My detailed guide has everything you need to learn about Chronic Angioedema and Allergic Angioedema, Read here to read.

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This article describes two extremely troublesome subtypes of angioedema: Chronic angioedema and allergic angioedema. For a better and simpler understanding I will divide this guide into two parts: first one explaining chronic and second allergic angioedema.

The simplest definition of angioedema, would be that at best it is a painful, ugly looking swelling lasting up to a few hours and at worst it can be a lethal disease. It is characterized by the rapid swelling of dermis and is similar in many ways to hives however it is a different disease. In some cases these do diseases may coexists and overlaps as well.

Recurring angioedema or chronic angioedema, a common form of angioedema, will keep haunting you i.e. it usually stays for more than six weeks and reappears twice a week. Usually the causes of chronic angioedema are idiopathic i.e. unknown, even after extensive testing by the doctor i.e. in case of Idiopathic Urticaria Angioedema.

Chronic angioedema is characterized by the rapid swelling that usually occurs around eyes or lips and keeps recurring. However, in severe cases the tongue and throat of the patient may also get swelled up. This can result in the blockage of upper airway and cause suffocation, therefore, should be treated as a medical emergency.

Allergic angioedema occurs in response to several allergies including pollen allergy, skin allergy or even food allergy. People with hereditary or chronic angioedema need to avoid these allergies but unluckily this is not an easy job. The reason is that allergens are present all around us, in the air we breathe in, the water we drink etc.

Certain drugs e.g. Beta blockers, ACE-inhibitors Aspirin and NSAIDs and many food items e.g. wheat, eggs, peanuts can also act as allergen. These drugs must be avoided by the patient and a comprehensive list can be prepared with the help of a professional doctor. Food elimination i.e. avoiding certain type of foods and then monitoring the results, then repeating this routine with other types of foods can be a great help but it is a time consuming practice.

What is ARB Angioedema?

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists or angiotensin receptor blockers might be a new name for some of you but you might have heard of ARB angioedema, especially if you have a history of angioedema.

People suffering from high blood pressure, diabetic nephropathy or congestive heart problems are prescribed ARB, however, they can have side effects including a dry cough and angioedema. Of course it would not be  good to get rid of your high blood pressure and then develop  hives, because of the intake of ARBs. You should consult your doctor if you are having this problem.

If you want to learn more about ARB angioedema, read here.

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Do you know what is ARB angioedema and what it the connection between these two? If you do not, this article will give you the answer. But before going into the details, let me warn you if you are in the middle of angioedema treatment, stay away from ARBs.

For better understanding of ARB angioedema, let me define the two terms separately for you:

ARB stands for angiotensin II receptor antagonists or angiotensin receptor blockers. ARBS are also called AT1-receptor antagonists andsartans. Actually they are a specific cluster of pharmaceuticals which transform the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This cluster of pharmaceuticals is mainly used for normalizing diabetic nephropathy, high blood pressure and in some cases for congestive heart failure.

Now let us come to angioedema. Angioedema, also called quincke’s edema, is an allergic reaction that occurs mostly on the eyes and lips. Actually, it is the rapid swelling of the human skin resulted by the swelling of dermis, mucosa and submucosal tissues. Usually the swelling lasts a few hours and does not threaten the life of the patient. However, if the swelling progresses rapidly it can block the airway and cause suffocation hence, should be treated as a medical emergency.

The most common and obvious symptom is swelling, which can develop abruptly on the eyes, lips, tongue and throat. However, it is not limited to these areas only, and any other part of the body can also be affected e.g. hands and feet. The swelling may result in a burning sensation and pain. Urticaria (hives) may also develop along with it. Sometimes the patient may also feel difficulty in breathing.

The major problem of using any member of ARB class is the avoidance of dry angioedema and cough which are usually associated with therapy of ACE inhibitor. However, a constant intake of ARBs can result in side-effects including dry cough and/or angioedema. Furthermore, a patient with a history of angioedema with ACE inhibitor therapy has the risk of cross reactivity.

Significant details about Autoimmune Angioedema and Stress Angioedema?

Are you suffering from autoimmune angioedema? Or have you developed stress angioedema after experiencing extreme emotional stress conditions? No matter what the case is with you, you need to take this matter seriously and if the situation is getting worse it is good to visit a doctor.

Autoimmune angioedema is commonly found in patients that develop angioedema in response to an autoimmune trigger, i.e. certain antibodies. Stress angioedema is caused by sudden emotional or physical stress or tension which may cause an increase in the body temperature of the patient.

Whether you are suffering from autoimmune angioedema or stress angioedema, read here to learn more about them. As they say, “knowledge is power” and if you do not have the proper knowledge about these diseases, you cannot handle them properly.

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This article describes two different subtypes of angioedema: autoimmune angioedema and stress angioedema. For better understanding, let me divide this article into two sections: first one describing autoimmune whereas the second one about stress angioedema.

Autoimmune angioedema is a skin problem found in patients that develop angioedema in response to an autoimmune trigger, i.e. certain antibodies. Mast cells are widespread in the skin and contain certain fluids. They basically act as a defensive mechanism in our bodies against the disorders. When they are disturbed by an autoimmune trigger or an allergen, they release fluid called histamine into the skin which causes swelling or angioedema. The swelling usually occurs on the face i.e. near eyes and lips that is why it is sometimes referred to as facial angioedema.

Certain drugs i.e. antihistamines can be ingested by the patient to counter the effects of release of histamine by the mast cells. The patient should avoid allergens and triggers that may result in an autoimmune angioedema. However, if you have already developed it, consulting a qualified doctor is the best option.

Stress angioedema is caused by sudden stress or tension which may cause an increase in the body temperature of the patient. If this is the case with you and you develop a sudden swelling usually around lips and eyes or in some cases on tongue and throat, it is time to find ways to relax and relieve tension or your skin problems will aggravate. However, you should also consider certain medical treatments as well for temporary relief e.g. antihistamines.

Sometimes people who are suffering from stress angioedema can develop it even when they are calm and relaxed. It might sound weird but there is a logical reason to this, and the reason is that emotional stress can provoke certain long lasting immunological changes which may continue even when you are not stressed out. In this case, you may get angioedema even when you are not under stress.

Understanding Angioneurotic Oedema and Quincke’s Edema?

Angioneurotic oedema is an obsolete name for angioedema, whereas quincke’s edema is another name which is still in use. The name angioneurotic oedema is now obsolete, as in the past it was believed that the neuro system had certain involvements in the outbreak of angioedema. However  recent studies have revealed that this concept was false.

Quincke’s edema can be characterized by rapid swelling of the skin which is usually painless. The swelling can occur anywhere on the body, however it usually occurs around the lips and eyes. The patient may also feel cramping in the belly and vomiting.

If you want to read more about angioneurotic oedema or quicke’s edema, read here.

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Angioedema was referred to as angioneurotic oedema in the past, why, will be explained later. Still there is a long list of names of this disease e.g. quinke’s edema or quincke edema. The rest of the article explains the details of this disease.

In the past, it was believed that nervous system has some involvement with angioedema. Therefore, the term angioneurotic oedema was used to refer to this skin problem. However, recent studies have revealed that this is not the case indeed and angioedema has other causes and symptoms.

Quincke’s edema is another commonly used name for angioedema. It is characterized by the rapid swelling of the human skin. Mostly, the swelling does not cause itching but it may be painful sometimes. In most of the cases, the swelling only lasts for a few hours whereas in severer cases, swelling can last up to more than six weeks.

There are two major sub-types of quincke’s edema: acquired quincke’s edema which usually results in response to allergies or autoimmune causesand hereditary quincke’s edema which is a familial problem and passes down the problems.

The common symptom of quincke’s edema is swelling, which develops rapidly on the eyes, lips, tongue and throat. However, it is not limited to these areas only, and any other part of the body can also be affected e.g. hands, arms and feet etc. the swelling in the upper airway or mouth can result in suffocation and must be treated as a medical emergency. In some cases Urticaria (hives) may also develop along with it.

When it comes to treating acquired Quincke’s edema, epinephrine has been a great success but in case of hereditary Quincke edema, the results vary greatly. It is recommended that for a proper diagnosis you may have an allergy test by a qualified doctor. Urine and blood tests can be helpful in diagnosing if you are infected by Quincke’s edema or not. Certain antihistamines, cinnarazine and many other drugs, and certain therapies e.g. Chinese acupuncture are quite helpful in the treatment.

What are the Major Angioedema Symptoms?

If you know the symptoms of a disease, you can identity it right from the start and handling it becomes much easier. If you do not know the symptoms or you are confused about them, it could cause delay in the diagnosis and at the end of the day the treatment becomes more difficult.

The case with angioedema is no different, so here are some major angioedema symptoms: swelling usually on the lips, eyes, face, hands, legs, tongue, throat and the private parts. Angioedema swelling is not itchy but is painful. Vomiting, abdominal pain and an outbreak of hives can also be involved in some cases.

If you are interested in learning more about angioedema symptoms, read here for further details.

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Certain diseases have unique symptoms through which they can be clearly identified.Angioedema symptoms in some cases are quite similar to those of hives symptoms. In this article I will describe certain angioedema symptoms  which will help you to sort this disease out. To make hereditary angioedema treatment easier, I will also describe some symptoms of hereditary angioedema separately.

The most common and obvious of angioedema symptoms is swelling which is usually right below the surface of the skin. This swelling occurs due the collection of certain fluid i.e. histamines under the skin layers. Swelling usually appears on lips and eyes, and sometimes it may outbreak on hands feet and genitals. However, in sever cases throat, tongue and bowel can get swelled up. Swelling usually lasts 1 to 3 days.

The swelling itself is not itchy but if your angioedema is accompanied by hives, you may feel itching. The swelling can cause a painful feeling and a burning sensation in the affected areas. If the swelling occurs in the throat or air-tubes in lungs, it can cause difficulty in breathing.

Hereditary Angioedema Symptoms

Hereditary angioedema passes down the family and can be life taking. Here are certain hereditary angioedema symptoms for your knowledge, but it is recommended that you should consult a professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The most common symptom of hereditary angioedema besides swelling is abdominal pain caused by swelling in the stomach and bowel. In some cases swelling of the bladder or urethra has also been reported. Other common symptoms include swelling of the tongue and throat, vomiting, swelling of legs, abdominal pain and cramps, and dehydration.

Symptoms of Angioedema

There are several symptoms of angioedema as explained above but let me revise the major ones for you: the obvious and common sign is swelling usually on the lips, eyes face hands, legs, tongue, throat and the private parts. Swelling is not itchy but painful.