Quincke’s edema, also known as “angioneurotic edema” or angioedema, is an acute swelling of the skin and mucous membrane. This can sometimes affect the subcutaneous connective tissue and subcutaneous fatty tissue. It is an acute and non-painful swelling that can have both allergic and non-allergic causes. Quincke’s edema is therefore not an independent clinical picture, but rather a complex of symptoms that can occur in the context of various diseases and allergies.
Causes of Quincke’s edema
Quincke’s edema can have a variety of causes. But how does Quincke’s edema develop? What the different causes of Quincke’s edema have in common is that they lead to a fluid shift in the tissue.
This causes swelling. The exact process is complex and involves various messenger substances. The neurotransmitters histamine and bradykinin are significantly involved in the development.
Depending on the specific cause, further important enzymes and messenger substances are added. A possible cause of Quincke’s edema is an allergic reaction. A wide variety of allergens, such as nuts, seafood or insect venom, can be the trigger.
The allergic Quincke’s edema is mainly caused by the messenger substance histamine. A distinction must be made between allergic Quincke’s edema and non-allergic causes. Blood pressure-lowering drugs, such as ACE inhibitors and, more rarely, AT-1 blockers, can be the cause.
The frequently prescribed drug acetylsalicylic acid can also cause Quincke’s edema. In rare cases, Quincke’s edema can also occur in the context of tumor diseases, especially malignant lymphomas. If the edema develops without a recognizable cause, it is called idiopathic angioedema.
Hereditary Quincke’s edema is distinguished from these acquired causes. This is a congenital metabolic disorder that can be genetically inherited. The disorder is based on reduced production or defective function of the protein C1 esterase inhibitor.
This protein has an important regulatory influence in various metabolic pathways. When its activity is reduced, more fluid can leak into the connective tissue, causing the typical swelling associated with Quincke’s edema. Hereditary or idiopathic Quincke’s edema can have very individual triggers.
Therefore, it is very important to find out in which situations the edema occurs in order to prevent it if possible. Some people describe an increased incidence of Quincke’s edema in emotional or psychological stress. Physical stress, especially in the form of surgery, can also be a trigger. Patients with hereditary Quincke’s edema therefore usually receive long-term prophylactic medication. It is recommended to avoid individual triggers and to pay more attention to symptoms
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