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Often, allergic reactions are viewed as a normal uncomfortable condition that is not life threatening. Indeed, most of these reactions do not bring tangible harm to health, but sometimes the development of such a pathological condition as Quincke’s edema may occur.
Description of pathology
Quincke’s edema (angioedema, giant urticaria, neurotic edema, angioedema) is a sudden allergic reaction of the body, which is characterized by a massive swelling of the mucous membranes, skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Quincke’s edema usually develops on the neck, upper body, face. Quite often, Quincke’s edema affects the internal organs, joints and brain cells. This pathological manifestation can develop absolutely in any person, but is most often found in young women and children.
Causes of Quincke’s edema
There are 2 types of pathology: pseudo-allergic and allergic. The first type is due to congenital pathology of the complementary system. The complement system is a blood protein involved in the development of primary allergic and immune reactions. With pseudo-allergic edema, the complement system can be activated both spontaneously and in response to chemical or thermal stimuli, leading to the development of an extensive allergic reaction.
Edema, as in other allergic reactions, occurs due to the body’s immune response to a specific allergen. Quite often, edema accompanies diseases such as hay fever, hives, and food allergies.
Quincke’s edema in infants and young children is extremely rare. Predisposing factors in the development of this pathological condition can be diseases of the thyroid gland, liver, stomach, parasitic and autoimmune diseases and blood diseases. Quite often, angioedema acquires a recurring chronic course, the cause of the pathology cannot always be established.
Symptoms of the development of pathology
The disease always starts suddenly. After a few minutes, a pronounced edema develops in different parts of the face and mucous membranes.
Typical symptoms are: local swelling of the oral mucosa (tonsils, soft palate, tongue); century; lips; scrotum; urinary tract; gastrointestinal tract; respiratory tract. Rarely, swelling is accompanied by painful sensations, manifested by a feeling of tension in the tissues. The skin in the affected area is pale, itching usually goes away. Tissue tension is felt on palpation, the pits do not remain under pressure, the swelling itself is painless.
The main places of localization of edema are:
- larynx;
- cheeks;
- eyelids;
- underlip.
The most life-threatening form is edema of the trachea, larynx and pharynx, which is observed in 25% of all patients with this pathology. Such people develop aphonia, cyanosis of the tongue is observed, breathing becomes difficult, anxiety arises, loss of consciousness is possible. When examining the mucous membrane of the throat, swelling of the palatine arches and soft palate is revealed, the lumen of the throat is narrowed. If the swelling extends to the trachea or larynx, death is possible due to suffocation.
If the pathology affects the internal organs, the symptoms are manifested by vomiting, diarrhea and acute pain in the abdomen. With the defeat of the meninges, neurological disorders develop (hemiplegia, aphasia, epileptiform convulsions).
In children, the reaction manifests itself as scattered edematous foci on the mucous membranes and skin. Pathology disappears without a trace after a few hours or days, but relapse is often possible.
Possible complications
Possibly the most threatening complication is laryngeal edema with increasing symptoms of acute respiratory failure, which include progressive difficulty in breathing, barking cough, and hoarseness.
In case of swelling of the genitourinary system, symptoms of acute cystitis appear. In addition, pathology can lead to acute urinary retention. Swelling of the gastrointestinal mucosa may cause severe abdominal pain, as well as dyspeptic disorders.
First aid
In case of damage to the respiratory tract (asphyxia), hospitalization and qualified assistance in a hospital are required. With a decrease in blood pressure, subcutaneous injection of up to 0,5 grams of adrenaline is allowed. Do not forget about desensitizing treatment. It consists of the appointment: intramuscular antihistamines, glucocorticoids (intravenously administered, since the larynx can be spasmodic). It is also important to give the patient protease inhibitors and diuretics. In order to reduce the allergic reaction, it is necessary to remove toxins from the body, for this, procedures such as hemosorption and enterosorption are used.
Prevention of angioedema involves a strict diet that does not contain foods that cause allergies. In case of forced contact with allergens, it is necessary to take timely prescribed antihistamines.