Glottis edema: what it is, symptoms, causes and what to do

Glottis edema is a complication that can arise during a severe allergic reaction and is characterized by swelling in the throat region. This situation is considered a medical emergency, as the swelling affecting the throat can obstruct the flow of air to the lungs, preventing breathing.

The symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, also called anaphylaxis, appear quickly, after a few minutes to a few hours of exposure to the substance causing the allergy, including difficulty breathing, a lump in the throat or wheezing when breathing.

Read too: Anaphylaxis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

It is important that in the case of glottis edema, the person is referred to the hospital so that the most appropriate measures can be taken to clear the airways and prevent complications.

Main symptoms

The symptoms of glottis edema are:

• Sensation of lump in the throat;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Wheezing or a high-pitched noise when breathing;
• Feeling of tightness in the chest;
• Hoarseness;
• Difficulty speaking.

There are other symptoms that normally accompany glottis edema and are associated with the type of allergy, such as hives, with red or itchy skin, swollen eyes and lips, enlarged tongue, itchy throat, conjunctivitis or asthma attacks, for example.

Read too: Allergy symptoms (skin, food, respiratory and medication)

Main causes

Glottis edema can be caused by:

• Use of certain medication;
• Food consumption;
• Bug bite;
• Temperature changes;
• Genetic predisposition, as in the case of patients with hereditary angioedema.

In these cases, glottis edema occurs between 5 and 30 minutes after the allergenic substance, and may be more or less intense depending on the degree of exposure and the person’s level of sensitivity.

What to do

In case of glottis edema, the following steps must be followed:

1. Call medical help calling SAMU 192;
2. Ask if the person has any allergy medication, so you can take it while you wait for help. Some people with severe allergies may even have an epinephrine pen, which should be administered in cases of severe allergies;
3. Keep the person preferably lying downwith legs elevated, to facilitate blood circulation;
4. Observe vital signs of the person, such as heartbeat and breathing, as if they are absent, cardiac massage will be necessary. Check out the step-by-step guide on how to perform cardiac massage.

After evaluation by the medical team and confirmation of the risk of glottis edema, treatment is indicated, carried out with medications that will quickly reduce the action of the immune system, and include injections containing adrenaline, anti-allergens and corticosteroids.

As there may be intense difficulty breathing, it may be necessary to use an oxygen mask or even orotracheal intubation, in which a tube is placed through the person’s throat so that their breathing is not blocked by swelling.