Quincke’s edema is a localized swelling caused by a vascular reaction, often seen around the face and throat. It can be caused by allergies, medications, or inherited traits. Treatment depends on the cause, and airway obstruction must be avoided. Patients with a history or at risk should consider noting it on a medical alert card.
Quincke’s edema is a form of localized swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by a vascular reaction, in which blood vessels swell and begin to leak fluid into nearby tissues. This phenomenon is commonly seen around the face and throat and can also occur around the genitals and other areas of the body. Treatment depends on the cause, and there are several things that can lead to an outbreak of Quincke’s edema. It is imperative to provide treatment, as sometimes swelling can cause airway obstruction.
Some people develop Quincke’s edema in response to allergies or as a reaction to medications, in which case it may be accompanied by the development of hives and the telltale swelling. Patients can also experience this medical condition due to inherited traits that predispose them to vascular reactions. The swelling can take minutes to hours to develop and can be accompanied by pain, soreness, discomfort, and a feeling of fullness and pressure.
In Quincke’s edema, leaking blood vessels can cause large volumes of fluid to be released into the tissues where the reaction occurs. The skin may feel swollen and may feel warm or appear reddish. If edema occurs in or around the throat, symptoms such as severe difficulty breathing, wheezing, and stridor may develop. In cases where the airways narrow due to swelling, the patient needs immediate medical attention to avoid respiratory arrest.
A quick physical exam can allow a doctor to diagnose a patient with Quincke’s edema. A patient history will be taken to learn more about the causes so that the doctor can provide appropriate treatment, as treatment options vary. If no known cause can be easily identified and the patient is in distress, intubation may be recommended to keep the airways open, and the patient may be given steroid medications to reduce swelling as quickly as possible while tests are performed to explore the patient conditions more carefully.
People with a history of Quincke’s edema or people who are at risk for it due to genetic conditions may want to consider noting it on a medical alert card. Having this information in a crisis situation can help healthcare professionals when it comes to making treatment decisions for patients who may be unable to communicate. Alerting friends, colleagues, and family members to early signs of distress and telling them how to respond to emergencies will also enable people to get the help they need as quickly as possible.
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