When a person suffers from allergies, many unpleasant symptoms, one of them is swelling of the throat. This sign is considered dangerous, as it threatens human life. This phenomenon occurs when the body is exposed to an allergic substance. The causes and treatment of swelling of the throat with allergies are described in the article.
Why does my throat swell?
With symptomatic repetitions of edema, a detailed diagnosis of the person's condition is required. You also need to know about methods for eliminating pathology. This phenomenon can be not only with allergies. Throat swelling may occur due to:
- oral diseases;
- purulent tonsillitis;
- phlegmous laryngitis;
- epiglottis abscess;
- purulent inflammation of the uvula root;
- diseases of the heart, blood vessels;
- diseases of the kidneys, liver;
- allergic reactions;
- problems with blood circulation in the larynx;
- pathological proliferation of lymphatic tissue;
- injuries to the throat, back wall and adjacent parts;
- cancerous growths;
- postoperative period;
- infectious diseases;
- severe hypothermia;
- poisoning with toxic components.
In babies, this condition is acute, difficult and dangerous. With allergies, swelling of the throat in a child occurs for the same reasons as in adults. Due to the peculiarities of the respiratory system, children have weakness of the muscles of the respiratory organs, their passage is narrowed, and the mucous membrane is sensitive even to minor irritants.
Even if the edema is small, only 1 mm, the lumen in the larynx is reduced by 2 times. This leads to shortness of breath and the inability to breathe. There are many causes for this disorder, including infections, hot food, trauma, allergies, and angioedema. Whatever leads to swelling of the throat, it causes discomfort. A person needs first aid, after which the doctor must diagnose and prescribe treatment.
Allergic swelling of the larynx
This process is non-inflammatory, it appears unexpectedly and develops quickly, it is considered dangerous for any person. In a few minutes, the respiratory organs constrict, which can lead to respiratory arrest. This symptom is considered dangerous in young children, as it can lead to suffocation.
Disorder appears due to:
- taking medicines, especially intravenously and intramuscularly;
- eating food intolerances - fish, nuts, eggs;
- contact withchemicals;
- cold allergy;
- insect bites;
- home tick;
- dust;
- fungi and mold;
- pet hair.
Carry antihistamines or tablets with you if you have previously been diagnosed with an allergy. This requirement is important to comply with frequent swelling of the nasal and throat mucosa.
How does it manifest?
Symptoms of swelling of the throat with allergies are presented as:
- inflammation, swelling, redness of the soft palate, tonsils, uvula;
- difficult inhalation and exhalation;
- breathing speed as the person cannot inhale the right amount of air;
- appearance of mild shortness of breath.
If the cause is not allergies, the condition worsens rather slowly. But, it still requires the delivery of a person to the hospital, where qualified assistance will be provided. Allergy is considered a serious danger to life, which quickly flows into stage 2. What does swelling of the throat look like with allergies in this case? This state manifests itself in the form:
- pain when swallowing;
- hoarseness and deafness of the throat;
- lack of air, including symptom of suffocation;
- dryness and irritation of the throat;
- feeling of a foreign body in the larynx, hoarseness of voice;
- barking cough;
- increased heart rate, shortness of breath;
- pale skin, cyanosis;
- active sweating;
- breathing difficulties;
- coloring mucous membranes blue;
- slight increase in body temperature;
- panicsick.
In difficult cases, laryngeal edema develops into Quincke's edema, when severe swelling of the face and neck appears. There may be an asthma attack. Due to laryngeal stenosis, the patient loses consciousness and does not return to normal until emergency care is provided.
Diagnosis
In order to make a correct diagnosis, a doctor performs several diagnostic procedures. They consist of:
- Laryngoscopy, in which an examination of the larynx is performed. The necessary examination is carried out with a special tube, at the end of which a miniature boat is fixed.
- Analysis for lgE.
- General allergy testing.
- Biopsies to examine inflamed tissue in the larynx.
When should I see a doctor?
The patient should be alert even with minor symptoms of allergies. Breathing problems should not be ignored, as well as if swelling and shortness of breath occur frequently. Seek medical attention even after first aid.
If there is a predisposition to allergies, then you need to carefully monitor your he alth. You should have first aid supplies in your first aid kit. Allergist should be visited 2 times a year. It is recommended to take prescribed means for prevention. This will help prevent allergic laryngitis.
First Aid
If there is swelling of the throat with allergies, what should I do? First you need to call an ambulance, and during this time to take measures to eliminatesymptom:
- The throat must be freed from clothing so that the respiratory organs work to the maximum.
- If an external allergen affects, then you need to stop contact with it and take the person to fresh air.
- The patient can be dunked in a hot bath or done with the upper or lower limbs first, which greatly improves the condition.
- A nasal spray (any vasoconstrictor) is put into the nose to make breathing easier. If the attack is allergic, then antiallergic drops are used.
- How to quickly relieve swelling of the throat with allergies? If there is a doctor in the family, then an antihistamine should be administered intravenously. At home, "Suprastin" or "Dimedrol" is used.
If the edema appeared from insect venom, then it is necessary to apply a tourniquet a few centimeters above the affected area. This will prevent toxins from spreading through the bloodstream. This procedure must be completed as soon as possible.
Treatment
How to cure allergic swelling of the throat? Therapy should be performed based on the origin of the disease. But, due to the complexity of diagnosing the disease, even with a detailed examination, treatment is performed according to one algorithm:
- The patient should be seated, a reclining position will also do. Then he needs to inject diuretics intravenously. With them, the accumulated excess fluid in the body is quickly removed. This group of funds includes Furosemide, Lasix.
- How to relieve swelling of the throat with allergies? Be sure to take an antihistamine. The patient is offered "Zodak", "Diazolin", "Suprastin", "Cetrizin",Zyrtec, Tavegil.
- Antihypoxants and antioxidants are often prescribed. These are Actovegin, Vixipin, Konfumin.
- The patient should be warm, you can put mustard plasters on the calves. But cold or hot compresses should not be applied to the throat. In both cases, there is a risk of deterioration.
- Treatment of swelling of the throat with allergies is performed by inhalation with solutions of ephedrine, adrenaline, hydrocortisone. The exact dosage must be determined by a doctor.
- If the problem came from an infectious lesion, antibiotic therapy is needed. It includes drugs based on penicillin and streptomycin.
- In difficult situations, a tracheotomy is performed, which is performed only by an experienced doctor.
Treatment of swelling of the throat with allergies in a child is performed in the same way as in adults. It is only important to consult a doctor before starting therapy. During the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to treat the underlying ailment. It is necessary to follow a diet in which only liquid and semi-liquid foods are consumed. Food should be at room temperature and should not include spices or vinegar dressings.
Surgery
It also happens that a person's condition becomes worse. In addition to the main symptoms, others may appear: nails, lips, the tip of the nose become bluish, cold sweat, tachycardia, lethargy or loss of consciousness. In this case, a surgical operation is performed - a tracheotomy.
The purpose of the operation is the formation of a temporary anastomosis of the tracheal cavity with the environment, is performedintroduction of a tube into the trachea. The procedure must be performed by a doctor. But with Quincke's edema, which develops quickly, waiting for an ambulance can cost a person's life. A simple solution to this problem is the introduction of several medical hollow thick needles into the larynx without incisions. This is necessary for breathing and saving a person's life before the arrival of doctors.
Prevention
It will be possible to prevent an allergic disease after limiting contact with the allergen. You should carefully read the instructions for all household items that are used, as well as the composition of the products. General strengthening of the body is needed:
- Proper nutrition remains important, so foods rich in vitamins are included in the diet. It is necessary to observe the drinking regime (at least 2 liters per day). Useful walks for half an hour a day in the fresh air. Stress and overwork should be avoided. You should choose simple exercises for yourself and perform them 3-4 times a week. You need to sleep at least 8 hours a day, as he althy sleep strengthens the immune system. At least 2 times a week should be rest, doing what you love. Only positive emotions are needed.
- If an allergic edema appears in a child, then there is a high probability that the disease will disappear with age, while maintaining a he althy lifestyle.
- It is important to go to an allergist 2 times a year and drink the medicines prescribed by him. With them, the likelihood of relapse is perfectly reduced.
If these simple rules are observed, it will be possible to prevent an aggravationallergic swelling of the throat. This manifestation is not an independent disease. This process is considered pathological and occurs due to various reasons.
Dangers and Consequences
The main danger of throat edema is its effect on respiratory function. With the narrowing of the lumen, breathing will be difficult, which causes acute oxygen starvation. In organs, the working capacity decreases, therefore, there is a deterioration in the general condition of the patient. In difficult cases, patients die from lack of air.
With a severe allergic reaction, dangerous symptoms develop within minutes. This is usually observed with intramuscular or intravenous administration of drugs. Swelling of the throat cannot be eliminated without medication. This is only possible if the cause of the problem is not a severe allergic reaction.
Conclusion
Rejection of therapy with antihistamines can lead to sad consequences. It is also important to cure the underlying ailment if it is the cause of the pathology, this applies to diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver and infectious lesions. Only then will it be possible to eliminate such an unpleasant symptom as swelling of the throat.
