Angioneurotic oedema refers to an acute or recurring attack of transient oedema suddenly appearing in areas of the skin or mucous membranes and occasionally of the viscera, often associated with dermatographism, urticaria, erythema, and purpura.
It can produce dramatic swelling of the subcutaneous tissues (welts beneath the skin) that typically appears around the eyes and lips.
Welts may also involve the hands, feet and throat (compromise the airway). This condition is associated with allergies (for example foods, pollen), but may also be a side effect of some medications (for example ACE inhibitors, salicylates).
Emotional stress, exposure to cold, water, sunlight, heat and insect bites all have been know to cause angioneurotic oedema. Treatment is with adrenaline, antihistamines, cimetidine, and/or corticosteroids.
Oedema is the presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body, usually applied to demonstrable accumulation of excessive fluid in the subcutaneous tissues.