Angioedema facts for kids

Angioedema is a type of swelling that happens deep under your skin. It's a bit like hives, but hives are usually on the surface of your skin.

Hives are often called welts. They are bumps that appear on the skin's surface. Sometimes, you can have angioedema without having any hives at all.

What Causes Angioedema?

Angioedema can happen because of an allergic reaction. When your body has an allergic reaction, it releases special chemicals, like one called histamine, into your blood. Your immune system, which protects your body, releases histamine when it finds something it thinks is harmful. These "harmful" things are called allergens.

Often, doctors can't find the exact reason why someone gets angioedema.

Here are some things that can cause angioedema:

• Animal dander: Tiny flakes of skin shed by animals.
• Environment: Being exposed to water, sunlight, very cold, or very hot temperatures.
• Foods: Certain foods like berries, shellfish, fish, nuts, eggs, and milk.
• Insect bites: Bites or stings from insects.
• Medicines: Some medicines can cause an allergic reaction. These include certain antibiotics (like penicillin) and some pain medicines. Also, some medicines for blood pressure can be a cause.
• Pollen: Tiny particles from plants, especially during allergy season.

Angioedema and hives can also appear after infections or with some other health conditions. A special type of angioedema can run in families. This is called hereditary angioedema, and it has different triggers and treatments.

Images for kids

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  Angioedema of the face, especially noticeable on the upper lip.

See also

In Spanish: Angioedema para niños