Quincke's edema: why and how

Allergic reactions are not always a rash and itching. Sometimes they are manifested by such a formidable phenomenon as Quincke's edema. It often presents a considerable danger to life, so if you or your loved ones, God forbid, develop symptoms quickly, urgently call an ambulance.

During the time from several minutes to several hours, the skin of the face swells. Especially it concerns the area around the mouth, swollen mucous membranes of the mouth, throat and tongue. It is possible to increase in other places, for example, swelling around the eyes, often swelling hands. Often this process is accompanied by itching or pain. Nerve compression causes numbness. At the same time, hives are often observed.

In severe cases, breathing becomes difficult and becomes whistling. The blood becomes less oxygen, while only intubation of the trachea can save . This is the only way to prevent death as a result of cessation of breathing.

Sometimes Quincke's edema occurs due to a recent contact with an allergen (for example, peanut butter), but more often the agent that caused swelling remains unknown. The same allergen can cause this reaction not every time there is a contact with it. Therefore, in the disease, edema Quincke always has an element of unpredictability. Strictly speaking, this is not always a very allergic manifestation.

Patients also often have a stomach ache, intense vomiting, diarrhea with a lot of fluids, and the rash has no relief and does not itch. If a patient develops manifestations from the intestine, the white blood cell count usually increases significantly. Sometimes this condition is confused with acute appendicitis: there are cases when operations for appendectomy were conducted in vain. The number of white blood cells decreases with decreasing symptoms.

Sometimes, angioedema is accompanied by swelling of the extremities and genitals. Soreness in this case depends on the location and degree of manifestation of swelling. To cause swelling may also be minor injuries, surgery and mechanical irritation. On average, the condition of predisposing arises once a month, develops in 12 hours and after 2-5 days fades.

The main role in the onset of an attack is bradykinin. This peptide forces the vessels to expand, the wall of the vessel becomes easier to permeate and the fluid penetrates rapidly into the intercellular space, which compresses the nerves and blood vessels, all worsening the condition. On the face it is especially noticeable, because there is not enough connective tissue, and therefore the edema is very pronounced.

Bradykinin is a mediator of pain, it is distinguished by different types of cells in response to a variety of stimuli. If you suppress his activity, the symptoms of Quincke's edema are significantly reduced and the danger of the condition decreases.

Often swelling is provoked by drugs - angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (enalapril, captopril). The fact is that in this norm, this inhibited enzyme is destroyed by unnecessary bradykinin, and therefore if its effect stops, the bradykinin begins to act very actively, provoking swelling.

With hereditary propensity, angioedema occurs due to abnormality of the complement system (mechanism in the functioning of the blood system). The links between this abnormality and genetic factors have already been found.

Increases the likelihood of an attack using foods such as cinnamon and alcohol, as they themselves expand the vessels. Therefore, those who are inclined to the swelling of Quincke, you can not use these substances. You can not notice the connection, because in this case the symptoms begin often after 24 hours. On the contrary, pineapples and turmeric can reduce the likelihood of an attack.

Of drugs, an attack can also trigger aspirin or ibuprofen, to a lesser extent, it refers to acetaminophen, although the presence of a weak link in this case is scientifically proven.

Quincke's edema in children is not fundamentally different from Quincke's edema in adults. However, the baby is less protective reaction of the body, so the doctor should be contacted without any delay.