What should you know about skin angioedema?

Angioedema causes swelling in deeper skin layers, often around the lips, eyelids, cheeks, hands, feet, or genitals. The area may feel tight, warm, or tender rather than itchy. It can occur with hives, which are raised surface welts, but hives are not required. Triggers include foods, medicines, insect stings, infections, and physical factors; some episodes have no obvious trigger. Recurrent swelling without hives may need a different evaluation from an allergic episode.

Stop and record any newly started medicine or suspected exposure, but do not discontinue a prescribed medicine without medical advice unless emergency clinicians instruct you. A cool compress may ease discomfort. A clinician may use oral antihistamine treatment for histamine-related swelling and may consider oral corticosteroid treatment in selected situations. Keep a photo and note the timing, affected areas, hives, stomach symptoms, and breathing symptoms for the assessment.

Call emergency services immediately for swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat, hoarse voice, trouble breathing or swallowing, dizziness, collapse, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Seek urgent medical assessment for severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, widespread swelling, or an episode after a new medicine or food. Even if swelling settles, recurrent episodes should be reviewed to identify triggers and reduce future risk.

Ask whether the episode fits angioedema, whether it occurred with hives, and which medicines or exposures could be involved. Discuss an emergency plan, warning symptoms, and whether family history or recurrent attacks change the evaluation.