Breathe deeper: how to recognize Quincke's edema in time

Quincke's edema develops against the background of an allergic reaction of an immediate type and becomes the most frightening of the possible complications of any allergy. Its frightening properties consist in the fact that there are a lot of irritants that can cause an allergy in a person, and he is far from always aware of what substances he is sensitized to, but the reaction to these substances can be fatal if there is no no one who can help in time. It is very important to know the symptoms of beginning Quincke's edema and be able to help the patient.

Why does Quincke's edema happen and how to recognize its development

Experts believe that Quincke's edema does not develop in every patient prone to allergies, but only in those who have a hereditary tendency for this or increased excitability of the autonomic nervous system. Additional provoking factors for Quincke's edema can be diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or some foci of untreated chronic infection in the body.

Quincke's edema is a localized deep swelling of the skin or  mucous membranes, subcutaneous tissue, which develops acutely and very quickly. Sometimes the swelling may disappear spontaneously, sometimes – recur. The reason for the development of edema is a sharp release in the sensitized organ of such biologically active substances as serotonin, histamine, heparin. At the same time, the permeability of tissue microvessels increases and its edema develops. Among the reasons that provoke Quincke's edema, there may be the following:

• medication (especially antibiotics, sulfonamides, aspirin);
• food irritants (including spices, citrus fruits, etc.);
• perfume, cosmetics;
• increased sensitivity to smells, to cold;
• allergic reaction to animal hair, insect bites.

Edematous development can occur within minutes, and sometimes this is the first such serious case of an allergy to a given irritant for a patient.

How to identify the symptoms of Quincke's edema and how to help the patient

Within a few minutes after contact with the irritant, edema develops on the patient's body or on the mucous membranes. It is clearly defined, limited, while the skin color does not change, there is no pain when touched, only there is a feeling of skin tension.

Quincke's edema is most often observed on the lower lip, on the eyelids, on the cheeks, it can affect the tongue and larynx – this is one of the most dangerous areas, threatening asphyxiation and death of the patient. The process in the mouth develops especially quickly – the patient feels aphonia and difficulty breathing, the tongue turns blue and does not fit in the mouth. No less dangerous is Quincke's edema, affecting the meninges – in this case, the prognosis can also be unfavorable and entirely depends on the speed of providing qualified assistance to the patient. Sometimes the edema may go away spontaneously or persist for several days.

Treatment of Quincke's edema consists in the immediate, if possible, elimination of contact with the substance that caused the allergic reaction. An antihistamine should be administered immediately intramuscularly (or orally in tablets), and in case of laryngeal edema – prednisolone. In case of urgent need, a tracheotomy is performed if the swelling of the larynx does not allow the patient to breathe on his own. With a critical drop in blood pressure, a solution of adrenaline is injected subcutaneously. During the period when the edema subsides, the patient is prescribed ascorutin to strengthen the vascular walls.

Thus, with timely assistance in case of Quincke's edema, the prognosis is favorable if the tissues on the body swell, and quite serious if the edema captures the larynx, brain tissues.