Hives and Angioedema
- Hives and Angioedema Overview
- Hives and Angioedema Causes
- Hives and Angioedema Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
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Hives and Angioedema Overview
Hives is an allergic skin reaction that comes on suddenly. The hives themselves are slightly raised, smooth, flat-topped bumps called wheals (look like mosquito bites) and welts that are usually more red in color than the surrounding skin and cause severe itching.
Angioedema is like hives, only the welts are larger and form at a deeper layer in the skin. This causes severe swelling, usually in the face, near the eyes and mouth. The swelling can also occur in the inside of the throat, which is a dangerous situation because it can close off the passage of air into the lungs.
Hives and angioedema can occur together, but they usually do not. Hives is the most common rash for which people seek emergency medical care. One of every 5 people will have hives at some time in their lives. Angioedema is less common. Hives and angioedema can happen at any age.
Medical professionals refer to hives as urticaria.
This article does not refer to an uncommon and more serious condition, hereditary angioedema. Hereditary angioedema involves swelling over the entire body, including some internal organs.
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Hives and Angioedema
Eczema Overview
The term eczema is derived from the Greek, meaning "to boil out." The name is particularly apt since to ancient medical practitioners it may have appeared that the skin was "boiling." Today the usage is rather imprecise since it is frequently used to describe any sort of dermatitis (inflammatory skin conditions). Not all dermatitis is eczematous. All eczematous dermatitis has a similar appearance. Acute lesions are composed of many small fluid-filled structures called vesicles that usually reside on red, swollen skin. When these structures break, the fluid leaks out, causing characteristic weeping and oozing. When the fluid dries, it produces a thin crust. In older lesions, these vesicles may be harder to appreciate, but an examination of the tissue under the microscope will reveal their presence. Eczematous dermatitis has many causes. One of the most common is a condition called atopic dermatitis. Often those using the term ...
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Angioedema »
Angioedema is a subcutaneous extension of urticaria, resulting in deep swelling within subcutaneous sites.
