Urticaria (hives) with swollen lips or a tight throat: when to go to the emergency department
When symptoms beyond the skin involve the airways or circulation, every minute counts.
Signs that mean you must call 120 (the emergency number in China) right away
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, or struggling to speak
- A tight feeling in the throat, a hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat
- Repeated vomiting or severe abdominal pain
- Pale skin, a racing heart, dizziness, being unable to stand steadily, or a clear drop in alertness
What to do while waiting for emergency help
Stop eating the suspected food and stop taking any medicines at once. Stay sitting or half-sitting, loosen your collar, and use your medicines as set out in the emergency plan your doctor gave you before. Do not stay out of other people's sight, and do not drive yourself to hospital. If you have been given emergency medicine, use it as planned and tell the emergency team promptly which medicine you used and the dose.
If you only have raised patches on the skin
You can use a cold compress to ease the itching and contact a doctor for assessment, but you still need to watch closely for any worsening. Note down when the symptoms started and what you ate or took, so it is easier to work out the triggers and adjust the plan later.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If your symptoms affect daily life, please see a doctor.