Edema Quincke - First Aid

Quincke edema , or angioedema , is most often observed in women and children, but no one is immune from it. The seriousness of this disease lies in the fact that it manifests itself so suddenly that it is sometimes very difficult to react correctly in the current situation. To prevent the disease from being taken by surprise and to protect yourself and your loved ones from the development of complications, you should know about the symptoms of Quincke's edema and the first first aid that you need to provide in this case.

Causes of Quincke Edema

Quincke's edema is predominantly allergic in nature and occurs as a reaction to foreign elements entering the body. As an allergen can act:

In response to the effects of allergens in the body, biologically active substances are released - histamine, kinins, prostaglandins, which cause local expansion of capillaries and veins, resulting in increased permeability of microvessels and tissue edema.

Also, viral and parasitic infections (helminthic invasions, hepatitis, giardiasis ), diseases of internal organs (liver, stomach) and endocrine system (thyroid gland) can lead to the edema of Quincke.

Quincke's edema can also be hereditary, when an inadequate amount of enzymes is released in the body that destroy substances that cause swelling. Hereditary form of edema occurs in the form of exacerbation under the influence of various factors: trauma, sudden changes in air temperature, stress, allergens.

In some cases (about 30%), the cause can not be identified (idiopathic edema).

Symptoms of Quincke Edema

Quincke's edema occurs sharply against the background of normal health and manifests itself by a significant increase in the volume of tissues. Puffiness can occur on the skin, in the subcutaneous layers, on the fatty layer, and also on the surface of the mucous membranes.

Edema can affect the neck, face, upper body, ears, eyelids, lips, tongue, soft palate, tonsils, respiratory tract, genitals, and also the back of the hands and feet. At the same time, the pain sensations are very rare, the patients only experience a feeling of tension and tension of the tissues. The affected areas are pale, have a dense structure, which is associated with a high protein content in edematous fluid.

The dangers of Quincke's edema

Edema lasts from a few hours to 2-3 days, then completely disappears. But there may come a threatening condition when there is a swelling of the larynx, pharynx and trachea. This narrows the lumen of the respiratory tract, which sometimes leads to suffocation. First, there is difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, barking cough, and then loss of consciousness may occur.

It is very dangerous and defeat the urogenital tract, which can lead to the development of acute urinary retention. Localization of the edema on the face threatens to involve the process of the meninges, which is manifested by headache, dizziness.

With such forms of edema, Quincke immediately needs emergency help.

Emergency Care for Quinck's Swelling

If symptoms of Quincke's edema appear, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before her arrival, you must: