Angioedema: Why Your Face Is Swelling and What to Do Next

If you've noticed sudden swelling in your face, lips, eyes, or throat, it can be alarming. One possible cause is angioedema, a condition that leads to rapid swelling beneath the skin. While angioedema is sometimes mild and temporary, in certain cases it can become serious and even life-threatening.

Here's what you need to know about angioedema, why it happens, what it looks like, and the medically approved next steps to take.

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What Is Angioedema?

Angioedema is swelling that occurs in the deeper layers of the skin, often affecting:

• Lips
• Eyelids
• Face
• Tongue
• Throat
• Hands or feet
• Genitals

Unlike hives (which affect the surface of the skin), angioedema involves deeper tissue. It may occur on its own or alongside hives (urticaria).

The swelling usually develops quickly — within minutes to hours — and may last from several hours to a few days.

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What Causes Angioedema?

There isn't just one cause. Angioedema can happen for several reasons, and understanding the trigger is key to treatment.

1. Allergic Angioedema

This is one of the most common types. It occurs when your immune system overreacts to something you're allergic to.

Common triggers include:

• Foods (nuts, shellfish, eggs, milk)
• Medications (especially antibiotics and NSAIDs)
• Insect stings
• Latex

In allergic angioedema, swelling may happen alongside:

• Hives
• Itching
• Rash
• Difficulty breathing

This type can escalate quickly and requires immediate medical attention if breathing is affected.

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2. Medication-Induced Angioedema

Certain medications can cause angioedema without a classic allergic reaction.

One of the most common culprits is:

• ACE inhibitors (blood pressure medications such as lisinopril or enalapril)

This type of angioedema can develop:

• Days after starting the medication
• Or even months to years later

Unlike allergic reactions, it may not involve itching or hives.

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3. Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

This is a rare genetic condition caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of a protein called C1 inhibitor.

Hereditary angioedema:

• Often starts in childhood or adolescence
• Does not involve hives
• Can cause abdominal pain from intestinal swelling
• May cause dangerous throat swelling

Because HAE is genetic, family history is important.

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4. Idiopathic Angioedema

In some cases, no clear cause is found. This is called idiopathic angioedema.

Even without a clear trigger, symptoms still need proper evaluation to rule out serious causes.

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What Does Angioedema Look Like?

Common symptoms of angioedema include:

• Sudden swelling under the skin
• Puffy lips or eyelids
• Swollen tongue
• Tightness or fullness in the throat
• Abdominal pain (in some cases)
• Swelling that is not usually itchy

The skin over the swollen area may look normal or slightly red. It often feels firm or tight rather than itchy.

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When Is Angioedema an Emergency?

Some cases of angioedema are mild. Others require urgent care.

Call emergency services immediately if you experience:

• Trouble breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Swelling of the tongue or throat
• Dizziness or fainting

Airway swelling can progress quickly. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own.

Even if symptoms seem mild at first, worsening throat or tongue swelling should always be treated as a medical emergency.

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How Is Angioedema Diagnosed?

A doctor will usually diagnose angioedema based on:

• Physical examination
• Description of symptoms
• Medication history
• Allergy history
• Family history

In some cases, additional tests may be needed:

• Blood tests (especially if hereditary angioedema is suspected)
• Allergy testing
• Review of current medications

If you're experiencing symptoms and want to understand whether they could be related to angioedema, a free AI-powered symptom checker can help you assess your risk and determine how urgently you should seek medical care.

This should never replace medical care, especially in urgent situations, but it can help guide your next steps.

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Treatment for Angioedema

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

For Allergic Angioedema

Doctors may recommend:

• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroids
• Epinephrine (in severe allergic reactions)

If you have had a severe allergic reaction before, you may be prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector.

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For ACE Inhibitor–Induced Angioedema

The medication must usually be stopped immediately under medical supervision.

Switching to a different blood pressure medication often resolves the problem.

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For Hereditary Angioedema

Specialized treatments may include:

• C1 inhibitor replacement therapy
• Bradykinin pathway inhibitors
• Preventive medications

Because hereditary angioedema can cause life-threatening airway swelling, ongoing specialist care is essential.

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What You Should Do If Your Face Is Swelling

If you notice swelling of your face, lips, or tongue:

1. Stay calm but act quickly.
2. Assess whether you have breathing or swallowing difficulty.
3. If yes — seek emergency medical care immediately.
4. If no — contact your doctor the same day for evaluation.
5. Review any new foods, medications, or exposures.
6. Do not take additional doses of a suspected medication trigger.

Even if swelling goes away on its own, follow-up is important to prevent recurrence.

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Can Angioedema Come Back?

Yes. Some types of angioedema can recur.

Risk of recurrence depends on:

• Whether the trigger is identified and avoided
• Medication use
• Underlying genetic conditions

People with chronic or hereditary forms may experience repeated episodes over time.

Proper diagnosis significantly reduces the risk of unexpected future attacks.

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Preventing Future Episodes

Prevention depends on the cause, but general strategies include:

• Avoid known allergens
• Inform healthcare providers about previous angioedema episodes
• Review medications carefully
• Carry emergency medication if prescribed
• Seek specialist care if symptoms are recurrent

If you've had angioedema before, make sure it's clearly documented in your medical records.

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The Bottom Line on Angioedema

Angioedema is swelling beneath the skin that can range from mild to life-threatening.

Key points to remember:

• Sudden facial, lip, or throat swelling should never be ignored.
• Breathing difficulty is always an emergency.
• Many cases are treatable once the cause is identified.
• Medication-related angioedema is more common than people realize.
• Hereditary angioedema requires specialized care.

If you're experiencing unexplained swelling and want immediate guidance on what to do next, use a free angioedema symptom checker to evaluate your symptoms and understand whether you need urgent care or can safely schedule a doctor's appointment.

Most importantly, speak to a doctor promptly about any symptoms — especially anything that could affect your breathing, swallowing, or overall safety. Early evaluation can prevent complications and give you clarity about what's going on.

Swelling of the face can feel frightening, but with proper medical guidance, angioedema is manageable — and in many cases, preventable once the cause is identified.