By far the most common type of angioedema is the one associated with urticaria. This type of angioedema often occurs in chronic idiopathic urticaria, but also with intolerance urticaria or other forms of the disease. Some patients exhibit chronic recurrent angioedema, so-called idiopathic angioedema, without the presence of urticaria, hereditary angioedema or ACE-inhibitor-induced angioedema.

This form of angioedema is most commonly localized in the face, particularly on the eyelids and the region of the lips. Periorbitally, the angioedema very often occurs on one side only; edemas of the tongue and glottis have been observed. They last for 1-5 days, thereafter the symptoms subside completely. On the oral mucosa there is no occurrence of wheals but rather of angioedema due to the specific properties of the oral mucosa tissue.

This type of angioedema is based on anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction, i.e. IgE-mediated or non-immunological. Little is known about the trigger mechanism of idiopathic angioedema.

The aim of differential diagnosis is to distinguish angioedema caused by C1-inhibitor deficiency. This distinction is important because the therapeutic procedure differs, particularly in laryngeal edema.

In this form of angioedema, as with urticaria, the main aim is to identify the cause. Angioedema of this type can only be influenced by internal treatment. Antihistamines and if necessary glucocorticoids shorten the course of this disorder.

As of April 24, 2021