In everyday life, we are used to using various chemicals, cleaners and detergents. We often abuse alcohol and junk food, which include fast foods, convenience foods, salty and smoked meats. All these components contribute to the appearance of a predisposition to allergies. And in this case, the risk of angioedema is very high.
What is angioedema?
Quincke's edema is the body's reaction to certain allergens. We pass in a rather acute form: swelling of the throat, larynx, respiratory tract, eyes, nose and oral cavity. It is also characterized by swelling of the subcutaneous tissue. Swelling of the internal organs is rare. Edema is not always allergic. It can also be divided into hereditary form and acquired.
As a rule, such symptoms appear unexpectedly and develop very abruptly. Often goes away on its own in 2-3 hours. But if there is no improvement, measures should be taken to treat it. Swelling of the larynx is characterized by severe wheezing in the throat, a change in voice, difficulty breathing and coughing. The human nervous system also suffers - it becomes anxious, irritable.
There are also the following types of edema:
- swelling of the face;
- Swelling of the tongue, tonsils;
- Edema in the genitourinary system;
- Edema of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Swelling of the brain.
If Quincke's edema is caused by some kind of allergy, then foods such as chocolate, fruits, nuts, seafood, smoked meats and preservatives, pollen, feathers and wool, insects and dust serve as causes. Puffiness can be affected by the presence of various viruses and parasites in the body. A pseudo-allergic reaction (provoked not by an allergen) manifests itself from the gastrointestinal tract. Often, edema occurs as a result of dysfunction of the thyroid gland and the endocrine system. If such a reaction occurs periodically, and its frequency increases, then this may indicate the presence of tumors or problems with the blood. A huge role is played by heredity.
Medical treatment of Quincke's edema
To avoid possible complications, the main thing is to start therapy on time. But how to treat angioedema? In mild forms of its manifestation, antihistamines are often used, which can be purchased without prescriptions and prescriptions from a doctor. In such cases, after a day or two, the agnoedema will pass without a trace. If the disease is severe, and there is a risk to the life of the patient (difficulty breathing), you should consult a doctor. Once the cause or allergen is identified, the following antihistamines will be prescribed:
| Letizen | It is an antiallergic agent. Eliminates itching, dermatosis, angioedema and urticaria. Adverse reactions are rare, but you should not take it without a doctor's prescription. |
| Zyrtec | It is prescribed for dermatitis, rhinitis, urticaria and Quincke's edema. Prohibited for use by patients suffering from renal failure and liver dysfunction. |
| Telfast | An excellent antiallergic drug. Helps in the fight against various types of edema and inflammation. The drug is prescribed only by a doctor, as it can cause tachycardia and urticaria. |
| Feksadin | It is used for manifestations of allergies. Removes severe swelling of the mucous membranes and skin. Copes well with urticaria and Quincke's edema. Headache and insomnia can be common side effects. |
| Benadryl | The drug significantly reduces swelling of the mucous membranes with Quincke's edema and other allergic manifestations. Eliminates bronchospasm. Also used for ARI. It comes in the form of a syrup, which makes it much easier to take. |
| Claritin | Eliminates itching and burning, urticaria and Quincke's edema. Effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Caution should be taken during the period of bearing and feeding the baby. |
With a severe course of the disease, for the treatment of Quincke's edema, doctors may prescribe corticosteroids:
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For emergency relief of swelling, doctors give an injection of epinephrine - it's just an injection of adrenaline. If some systems and respiratory organs are affected during the disease, this will help to normalize their work. It will not be superfluous to take diuretics:
- Furosemide;
- Kanefron;
- Thorsid;
- Arifon;
- Triphas.
To successfully get rid of puffiness, it is worth ridding the body of toxins. For these purposes, the following types of sorbents are used: activated carbon, enterosgel, carbolene, chitosan, atoxyl.
A very important condition in the treatment of edema is the intake of a vitamin complex for general strengthening of the body and immunity. The best option would be to use vitamin C, B12, quercetin and bromelain. When using ascorbic acid, the level of histamine in the patient's body decreases. Vitamin B12 is best injected into the body for speed of action. This will help to significantly reduce the number of seizures. Quercetin is found in many foods such as buckwheat, apples, blueberries, onions, and legumes. It is needed to inhibit the development of allergic manifestations. Bromelain reduces inflammation. But it should be used with caution, because it can cause bleeding.
Treatment of Quincke's edema with folk remedies
How to treat Quincke's edema with folk remedies? This question is often asked by people with allergies. Alternative medicine advises the use of various compresses:
- Salt compress. Salt copes with the presence of excess fluid in the body. You need to dilute one tablespoon of salt in a glass of water. The compress should be applied cold several times a day.
- Chamomile compress. It is necessary to grind dry chamomile flowers and mix with hot water until a mushy state is obtained. This slurry is spread hot on gauze and kept in place of the edema.
There are a lot of herbal preparations that will help get rid of the disease:
| Nettle and string | You need to take 100 g of the following herbs: nettle, succession, licorice, lemon balm, burdock and alder. All ingredients are boiled in a water bath for 15 minutes. After that, add the amount of water that has evaporated. Drink this decoction throughout the day. |
| Dandelion and Chamomile | All ingredients are taken in an equal amount of 100 grams, namely: dandelion root, corn stigmas, string, St. John's wort flowers, mint, rose hips, chamomile flowers. Pour one tablespoon of the mixture into boiling water and boil for a couple of minutes. You need to take 50 grams four times a day. The decoction is considered a good diuretic, removing excess fluid. |
| Chicory and wheatgrass | Wheatgrass root will need 100 grams, and chicory will need 50 g. Horsetail and mint should also be taken in the amount of 50 grams. You can add immortelle flowers. One spoonful of such a drug is poured into two glasses of water. After the broth boils, immediately remove from heat. Take a decoction of half a cup several times a day. |
| burdock | For this collection, you will need burdock root, chamomile flowers in equal amounts. Heather herbs need to take 50 grams. Buckthorn bark is taken in the same amount. Pour two tablespoons of this collection with a small amount of water and bring to a boil, boiling for ten minutes. After it cools down, you can consume 70 grams three times a day. |
In many sources of traditional medicine, you can find a recipe for the treatment of Quincke's edema with seaweed, namely taking baths with kelp. This component contributes to the rapid, and most importantly natural, removal of the allergen from the body. Significantly reduces swelling, and normalizes blood circulation in a short time. To relieve a mild form of edema, give the patient warm milk with soda several times a day.
Nettle infusion helps a lot. You need to pour three tablespoons of nettle root, grated, and grass leaves, a liter of hot boiled water. It is required to insist for two hours. After straining the decoction, take a few tablespoons three to four times a day, preferably with each meal.
Birch leaves have an excellent diuretic effect. The crushed leaves are poured with boiling water and infused for 10 minutes, like an ordinary hour. After this time, the infusion should be drunk immediately, while it is warm. Make these drinks several times a day. With swelling of the gastrointestinal tract, you need to use celery juice.
First aid for swelling
When providing first aid to a patient, follow these tips:
- First of all, you need to contact or call an ambulance, informing them about the patient's condition. They will also be able to give you some recommendations to improve his condition.
- Stop any contact of the patient with a possible allergen.
- If swelling occurs as a result of an injection, tighten the area of the body with a tight bandage above it. Apply ice to the injection site.
- The same manipulations should be done with an insect bite.
- Loosen the patient's clothing by unbuttoning it. This will help to normalize his breathing and blood circulation.
- Make fresh air available by opening windows and doors.
- If the edema is caused by poisoning, and the place of its localization is the larynx or trachea, under no circumstances should the patient be induced to vomit. Let him drink as much water as possible by dissolving a few tablets of activated or white charcoal in it.
- Talk to the patient, do not give him time to think about his misfortune and panic.
Preventive measures
If edema is a manifestation of an allergy, it is necessary to eliminate this allergen from your environment. It is necessary to refuse other possible allergens among food products, pets. Medicines such as paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid and citramon are considered provocateurs of Quincke's edema. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor to replace them with other safe means.
Try to use perfumes and decorative cosmetics as little as possible. Colossal harm is caused by washing powders, cleaning and washing preparations. Any alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Always try to keep your home clean by doing wet cleaning.
To prevent puffiness in a child, use only hypoallergenic cosmetics for his personal hygiene. The patient should always keep a syringe with an injection of adrenaline at hand. You need to normalize the state of your nervous system. Avoid stressful situations and tensions.
