Angioedema Associated with Urticaria can be a Silent Killer

Sur Genel

doi:10.4172/2155-6121.1000128

Abstract

Urticaria and angioedema are common diseases in children and adults. Erythematous swelling of the deeper cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue is called angioedema. Urticaria is characterized as the appearance of erythematous, circumscribed, elevated, pruritic, edematous swelling of the upper dermal tissue. Urticaria may occur in any part of the body, whereas angioedema often involves face, extremities or genitalia. Urticaria is considered acute if symptoms are present for less than 6 weeks. In chronic urticaria symptoms are longer than 6 weeks. Acute urticaria has been reported to be the common type in childhood and chronic urticaria is more frequent in adults. Urticaria and angioedema are a frequent cause of emergency room visit but few patients need to be admitted. The basic mechanism involves the release of diverse vasoactive mediators that arise from the activation of cells or enzymatic pathways. Histamine is the best known of these substances, and response consisting of vasodilatation (erythema), increased vascular permeability (edema) and an axon reflex that increases reaction. The most common etiological factors for angioedema and urticaria have been identified as infection, physical urticaria, food allergy, drug adverse reaction, parasitic infestation and papular urticaria. The aim of this study is to define, describe and discuss etiology, diagnostic, treatment and severity.

Highlights

Allergic manifestations have become more and more frequent lately because of the organism’s way of reaction, the wide spread of allergens in the environment and because of a higher level of hygiene
Allergic manifestations are more frequent in western countries, where hygienic conditions are higher
Streptococcal infection has been reported as the cause of 17% of acute urticaria cases in children

Summary

Introduction

Allergic manifestations have become more and more frequent lately because of the organism’s way of reaction, the wide spread of allergens in the environment and because of a higher level of hygiene. Angioedema causes severe swelling, usually in the face, near the eyes and mouth. The idiopathic form of angioedema may be associated with swelling, hives that persist longer than 6 weeks, or both [5,6,7,8,10]. Allergic angioedema is characterized by swelling, hives, or both in reaction to environmental factors such as food, an insect sting or bite, cold, heat, latex, or a drug.

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