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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffComplications of hives and angioedema may include:
- Itching. Hives and angioedema can cause itching and discomfort.
- Difficulty breathing. In more-serious cases — when swelling occurs inside your mouth or throat — complications can include difficulty breathing, leading to a loss of consciousness. If you have a swollen throat, seek medical care immediately.
- Anaphylactic shock (anaphylaxis). This is a serious allergic reaction involving your heart or lungs that can also be associated with hives and angioedema. Your bronchial tubes narrow, it's difficult to breathe, and your blood pressure drops, causing dizziness and perhaps loss of consciousness or even death. Anaphylactic shock occurs rapidly and requires immediate medical care.
References
- Kaplan AP. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2958607. Accessed May 2, 2009.
- Urticaria. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch109/ch109e.html. Accessed May 2, 2009.
- Austen KF. Allergies, anaphylaxis, and systemic mastocytosis. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2858746. Accessed May 2, 2009.
- Bingham CO. Etiology and diagnosis of urticaria. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 4, 2009.
- Urticaria. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/urtic.htm. Accessed May 2, 2009.
- Fromer L. Treatment options for the relief of chronic idiopathic urticaria symptoms. Southern Medical Journal. 2008;101:186.
- Xyzal (prescribing information). Bridgewater, N.J.: Sanofi-Aventis. 2008. http://www.xyzal.com/pdf/pi.pdf. Accessed May 4, 2009.
- Sicherer SH. Advances in allergic skin disease, anaphylaxis, and hypersensitivity reactions to foods, drugs, and insects in 2008. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:319.
- Khan DA. Chronic urticaria: Diagnosis and management. Allergy and Asthma Proceedings. 2008;29:439.
