Does angioedema cause facial swelling?

Angioedema can develop suddenly around the eyes, lips, cheeks or tongue. The swollen area may feel tight, warm or uncomfortable; itching and raised hives may occur, but they are not always present. Triggers include some foods, medicines, insect stings and physical factors, while some episodes have no clear trigger. Swelling can affect the hands, feet or bowel as well as the face.

Move away from a suspected trigger and seek medical advice, particularly after a first episode or when swelling returns. Keep a note of foods, medicines, stings, infections and products used before symptoms began. Use an allergy medicine or emergency injector only if it was prescribed for you, following its instructions. Do not restart a medicine suspected of causing the reaction without clinical advice.

Call emergency services immediately for swelling of the tongue or throat, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, wheezing, breathing difficulty, dizziness or collapse. These signs can progress quickly. If an adrenaline injector has been prescribed for severe allergy, use it as directed and call emergency services; do not wait to see whether the swelling settles.

Ask what may have triggered the episode, whether you need allergy or medicine review, how to recognise airway involvement and whether you should carry an emergency injector. Request a written action plan if episodes are recurrent or severe.