What Causes Episodes Of Swelling In The Face, Lips, Eyes And Forehead Along With Hives On The Body?

Posted on Mon, 4 Sep 2023

Question: female 28. since Dec. i have had episodes of swelling on my face, my lips,eyes and forehead is edema swelling with Hives that can be on my feet, back,side or stomach. Hives and swelling at the same time. my head starts to itch and then burn. i went to the er 2 times because my throat and tongue have swollen also.

I have been to a allergist and had scratch testing with negative results. blood work came back fine.

Answered by Dr. Divya Agarwal (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Urticaria

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

However, what you are describing is urticaria/angioedema.
this may occur even without a known allergen.

Thyroid disorders need to be ruled out, by checking for thyroid antibodies and if present thyroid replacement therapy needs to be taken even if the thyroid function is normal.

Treatment basically includes antihistaminics and montelukast to take care of the itching and swelling.

Otherwise, corticosteroids and sometimes immunomodulatory drugs are also used.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Divya Agarwal, Rheumatologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Divya Agarwal (1 hour later)

I just got home from work and neck is swollen along with lip eyes and maxilla. My scalp,neck, back of thigh and vagina has hives. My stomach is swollen 24 hours a day. i keep having gerd and a wird feeling in my throat. I took 2 Benadryl and steroid. about 1 hour ago and face is still proceeding to swell. Headache and my jaw hurts.
stomach blotting and tight,hard.

My mom has hyperthyroid. But never had these symptoms.
Can my dr. start blood work for thyroid and what should the blood work test for?
steroids are from my general dr. from 2 weeks ago.
I can't get into rheumatoid dr until XXXXXXX

Thank You! XXXXXXX

I am near XXXXXXX Illinois.Do you Know of any good Dr. here in ill.?

Answered by Dr. Divya Agarwal (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As below...

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

You should be getting FT3, FT4, TSH and thyroid antibodies- anti-TG and anti-TPO.

I suggest taking an antihistaminic and also a proton pump inhibitor for your GERD.

The drug is a leukotriene antagonist like montelukast which can be taken with cetirizine.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Divya Agarwal, Rheumatologist

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj