Swollen eyes and lips: what to know

Angioedema is swelling in deeper skin tissues, commonly affecting the lips, eyelids, face, hands, or feet. It can occur with hives and itching, or without a raised rash. Triggers include foods, medicines, insect stings, infections, and contact exposures; some episodes have no obvious trigger.

A clinician will want to know whether the swelling started suddenly, whether it has happened before, and whether a new medicine or product preceded it. Swelling limited to one painful area may have a different cause and needs examination, particularly if redness, warmth, or fever is present.

Remove yourself from a suspected exposure and avoid applying unfamiliar creams or makeup. Sit upright if facial swelling is increasing, and record the time symptoms began. Take prescribed emergency medicine exactly as directed if you have an established allergy plan. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or your breathing is affected.

Even when swelling settles, arrange medical review after a first episode. Bring a list of medicines and supplements, including recently started treatments, because some reactions can appear after use has begun.

Seek emergency help at once for tongue or throat swelling, hoarse voice, difficulty breathing, wheezing, trouble swallowing, dizziness, collapse, or rapidly spreading swelling. Get prompt assessment for eye pain, visual change, fever, or swelling that is becoming more severe.

Ask whether the episode fits angioedema, which triggers should be avoided, whether any medicine should be changed, and what symptoms should activate an emergency plan. Ask whether close relatives need assessment if similar swelling occurs in the family.