What are edema blisters. How do they form. What causes edema blisters. What do edema blisters look like. How are edema blisters treated. When should you see a doctor for edema blisters. What are the complications of edema blisters.

Understanding Edema Blisters: Formation and Appearance

Edema blisters are fluid-filled bubbles that develop under the top layer of skin. These blisters can contain various substances, including:

• Pus
• Blood
• Serum (the clear, watery component of blood)

Typically circular in shape, edema blisters can manifest as single bubbles or in clusters. The discomfort associated with these blisters varies, ranging from mild irritation to intense pain or itching, depending on the underlying cause.

What do edema blisters look like?

Edema blisters often appear as translucent, fluid-filled sacs on the skin’s surface. Their size can vary from tiny, pinhead-sized bubbles to larger, more noticeable blisters. The surrounding skin may be red, inflamed, or tender to the touch. In some cases, the blisters may have a yellowish tint if they contain pus, or a reddish hue if blood is present.

Common Causes of Edema Blisters

Edema blisters can arise from various factors, each with its unique characteristics and triggers. Understanding these causes is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Friction Blisters

One of the most prevalent types of edema blisters is friction blisters. These occur when repeated rubbing or pressure causes the upper layers of skin to separate from deeper layers, creating a pocket that fills with fluid. Common scenarios that lead to friction blisters include:

• Wearing new or ill-fitting shoes
• Using tools or equipment without proper hand protection
• Engaging in repetitive activities without adequate skin protection

Temperature-Induced Blisters

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can cause blistering of the skin. These temperature-induced blisters are often described as “blistering” for good reason:

• Frostbite: Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can lead to the formation of blisters as the skin thaws.
• Sunburn: Severe sunburn can cause second-degree burns, resulting in blisters.
• Contact with very hot or cold objects: Touching extremely hot surfaces or handling frozen items without protection can cause blistering.

It’s important to note that blisters resulting from extreme temperatures are often a sign of a partial thickness burn, which is a type of second-degree burn.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction that occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen. This condition can lead to the formation of blisters, especially in cases of severe reactions. Common triggers for contact dermatitis include:

• Poison ivy and other poisonous plants
• Soaps and detergents
• Perfumes and fragrances
• Certain fabrics
• Jewelry (particularly those containing nickel)
• Latex gloves
• Materials used in everyday objects (toys, tools, etc.)

Eczema and Its Relationship to Edema Blisters

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that can manifest in various ways, including the formation of blisters. While eczema typically presents as a rash, certain types can lead to the development of fluid-filled blisters.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema is a specific form of eczema characterized by the formation of intensely itchy blisters on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. These blisters are typically filled with clear fluid and can be extremely uncomfortable.

Infected Eczema

In some cases, eczema can become infected, leading to the formation of pus-filled blisters. This is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. If you suspect your eczema has become infected, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional.

Insect-Related Blisters: Identifying the Culprits

Various insects can cause blisters through their bites or infestations. Understanding the characteristics of these insect-related blisters can help in identifying the cause and seeking appropriate treatment.

Scabies

Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin, often leaving distinctive tracks of blisters. These blisters commonly appear on:

• Hands
• Feet
• Wrists
• Underarm areas

Flea and Bedbug Bites

Both fleas and bedbugs can cause small, itchy blisters at the site of their bites. These blisters are often accompanied by redness and swelling in the surrounding area.

Brown Recluse Spider Bites

The bite of a brown recluse spider is particularly dangerous and can lead to severe blistering. The bite typically progresses as follows:

1. Initial blister formation
2. Bursting of the blister
3. Development of a painful, open sore

If you suspect a brown recluse spider bite, seek immediate medical attention.

Viral Infections and Blister Formation

Several viral infections can manifest with the formation of blisters on various parts of the body. These blisters are often a key diagnostic feature of the underlying viral condition.

Herpes Virus

The herpes virus is a common cause of blisters, particularly in the following conditions:

• Chickenpox: A highly contagious illness that begins with red bumps, progresses to blisters, and eventually scabs over.
• Shingles: A painful rash with blisters that can occur in individuals who have previously had chickenpox.
• Herpes simplex: Causes fever blisters on the lips, mouth, or genitals.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

This viral infection primarily affects children under 10 years old and is characterized by blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth. The disease progression typically includes:

1. Mild fever
2. Runny nose
3. Sore throat
4. Development of characteristic blisters

Treatment and Management of Edema Blisters

The approach to treating edema blisters depends on their size, location, and underlying cause. In many cases, blisters will heal on their own without intervention. However, there are steps you can take to promote healing and prevent complications.

When should you leave a blister intact?

Generally, it’s best to leave small to medium-sized blisters intact. The fluid inside the blister serves as a natural cushion and protective barrier against infection. As the blister heals:

• The body reabsorbs the fluid
• The blister flattens
• The top layer of skin eventually peels off

How can you protect an intact blister?

To prevent accidental rupture and promote healing, you can protect an intact blister by:

• Using a donut-shaped moleskin pad around the blister
• Applying a protective bandage or tape
• Avoiding activities that may cause further friction or pressure on the affected area

When is it appropriate to drain a blister?

In some cases, draining a blister may be necessary. Consider draining a blister if:

• It’s larger than a nickel
• It’s causing significant pain or impeding movement
• It’s in an area prone to further irritation

If you need to drain a blister, it’s best to have it done by a healthcare professional using sterile techniques.

How do you care for a drained or burst blister?

If a blister has been drained or has burst on its own, follow these steps to promote healing and prevent infection:

1. Gently wash the area with soap and water
2. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the affected area
3. Cover the blister with a bandage during the day to keep it clean
4. Remove the bandage at night to allow the area to dry

When to Seek Medical Attention for Edema Blisters

While many blisters can be managed at home, certain situations warrant professional medical evaluation and treatment.

What are the signs of an infected blister?

Be alert for the following signs of infection in or around a blister:

• Increased pain, swelling, or redness
• Warmth in the affected area
• Red streaks extending from the blister
• Pus or cloudy fluid draining from the blister
• Fever, chills, or other flu-like symptoms

When should you consult a healthcare professional?

Seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• Signs of infection as described above
• Blisters around your eyes or on your genitals
• Blisters that don’t heal within a week or two
• Recurring blisters without an apparent cause
• Blisters accompanied by unexplained symptoms

Prevention Strategies for Edema Blisters

While not all blisters can be prevented, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your risk of developing edema blisters.

How can you prevent friction blisters?

To minimize the risk of friction blisters:

• Wear properly fitting shoes and break in new footwear gradually
• Use moisture-wicking socks to reduce friction
• Apply moleskin or other protective padding to areas prone to blistering
• Wear gloves when using tools or performing repetitive hand motions

What precautions can you take to avoid temperature-induced blisters?

Protect yourself from extreme temperatures by:

• Wearing appropriate clothing and sunscreen when exposed to sunlight
• Using insulated gloves when handling very hot or cold objects
• Limiting exposure to extreme temperatures when possible
• Applying aloe vera or other soothing treatments promptly after sun exposure

How can you prevent blisters from allergic reactions?

To reduce the risk of blisters from contact dermatitis:

• Identify and avoid known allergens or irritants
• Wear protective clothing when working with potentially irritating substances
• Use hypoallergenic products if you have sensitive skin
• Wash your skin promptly after potential exposure to allergens

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for edema blisters, you can better manage these skin conditions and promote overall skin health. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about persistent or unusually severe blisters.

Pictures of What They Look Like, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Medically Reviewed by Neha Pathak, MD on March 22, 2021

They’re bubbles that pop up when fluid collects in pockets under the top layer of your skin. They can be filled with pus, blood, or the clear, watery part of your blood called serum. Most are shaped like circles. Depending on the cause, your blister could itch or hurt a lot or a little. They can appear as a single bubble or in clusters.

Friction blisters, named for what causes them, are one of the most common kinds. Think back. Have you ever worn a new pair of hiking boots before you broke them in? Or raked the yard without a pair of garden gloves on your hands? Those are the kinds of things that could cause a friction blister on your heel, toe, thumb, or palm.

Go without gloves in winter and you could get blisters from frostbite. Stay out in the summer sun too long and you might get sunburn. The same thing can happen if you handle frozen goods or touch the stove burner. Both cold and heat are described as “blistering” for good reason: Extreme temperatures can hurt your skin. Blisters are a sign of a type of second-degree burn called partial thickness.

Rub up against a pesky plant like poison ivy, and you might end up with blisters of another sort. They’re often a symptom of contact dermatitis, which happens when you touch something you’re allergic to. It doesn’t have to be poisonous, though. Some people react to soap, perfume, detergent, fabric, jewelry, latex gloves, or things used to make tools, toys, or other everyday objects.

Also known as eczema, this condition usually shows up as a rash. But with some types, you can also get blisters filled with clear fluid. Dyshidrotic eczema causes these super-itchy blisters on your palms and the soles of your feet. Blisters filled with pus are a sign your eczema has become infected. If you think you may have a skin infection, see your doctor.

Insects can take the blame for some itchy blisters. Scabies are tiny mites that drill into your skin, sometimes leaving curved lines of blisters in their tracks. They often attack the hands, feet, wrists, and under the arms. Flea and bedbug bites can cause little blisters, too. The brown recluse spider has an extra-nasty bite that blisters before bursting to form a painful open sore. If that describes your blister, go to the doctor right away.

Some viruses can cause blisters. The herpes virus is a common culprit. It’s present in chickenpox, a contagious illness that starts with red bumps that become blisters and then scab over. If you’ve had chickenpox, you also can get shingles, which targets nerves and causes a painful rash with blisters. The CDC says people 60 and older should get a one-time vaccination to prevent shingles. It also recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine for anyone who hasn’t had the disease.

Fever blisters on your lips, mouth, or genitals are a sign of the herpes simplex virus. The fluid in these sores carries and spreads the virus through sex, or by kissing or sharing utensils. Many people don’t know they have herpes because symptoms are usually mild. If you have fever blisters or you think you’ve been exposed to herpes, talk to your doctor. There’s no cure, but certain drugs can prevent or shorten outbreaks.

This disease is named after the blisters it causes on these body parts. The infection mostly hits kids younger than 10. The virus spreads through contact with mucus, saliva, feces, or blisters of someone who’s already sick. The infection starts out with a mild fever, runny nose, and sore throat. But the blisters are the big clue that leads to a diagnosis.

Some blisters get better on their own. Your skin absorbs the fluid, and the blister flattens and peels off. Until that happens, you can use a donut-shaped piece of moleskin padding or tape to help keep it from breaking open.

Resist the urge to pop a blister unless it’s so large — bigger than a nickel — or painful that you can’t get around. If that’s the case, your doctor might decide to puncture it with a sterile needle to let the fluid drain out. Once it’s popped, whether your doctor does it or it breaks on its own, gently wash the area with soap and water and apply antibiotic ointment. Cover it with a bandage to keep it clean during the day, but take the bandage off at night to let it dry.

Go to the doctor if you have a fever, chills, or other flu-like symptoms at the same time you have blisters. You could have a virus or an infection. Other symptoms of infection can include: pain, swelling, redness or warmth, red streaks leading away from your blister, or pus coming from it. Blisters around your eyes or on your genitals are also cause for concern.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1)     DR P. MARAZZI / Science Source
2)     piola666 / Getty Images
3)     gwmullis / Getty Images
4)     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / Science Source
5)     ISM / Medical Images
6)     Science Picture Co / Science Source
7)     (Left to right)  myibean / Getty Images, James Cavallini / Science Source
8)     AndreyPopov / Getty Images
9)     DR P. MARAZZI / Science Source
10)   Albina Gavrilovic / Getty Images
11)   triloks / Getty Images

SOURCES:

Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Glossary — Pediatrics,” “Health Library: Blisters,” “Health Library: Chickenpox (Varicella).”

American Academy of Pediatrics. “Healthy Children: Blisters.”

University of New Mexico Hospitals: “Burn Classification.”

Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Health Library: Poison Ivy,” “Health Library: Contact Dermatitis.”

Nemours: “Infections: Scabies.”

Virtua Hospital System: “Kids Health: A to Z: Insect Bites/Stings, Non-Venomous.”

CDC, Workplace Safety & Health Topics: “Venomous Spiders.”

American Academy of Dermatology: “Shingles: Signs and symptoms,” “Herpes simplex: Signs and symptoms,” “Herpes simplex: Who gets and causes,” “Shingles: Diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.”

American Academy of Family Physicians: “Herpes: Treatment”

CDC: “Vaccines and Immunizations: Shingles Vaccination: What You Need to Know,” “Vaccines and Immunizations: Chickenpox Vaccination: What Everyone Should Know,” “Genital Herpes Treatment. ”

New York State Department of Health: “Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (Coxsackie viral infection).”

Seattle Children’s: “Should Your Child See a Doctor: Blisters.”

NYU Langone Medical Center Department of Pediatrics: “Blisters.”

National Eczema Association: “Dyshidrotic Eczema.”

National Eczema Society: “About skin infections and eczema.”

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Blisters: Pictures, Causes, and Outlook

Warning: Graphic images ahead.

1. Herpes simplex

The herpes virus causes painful blisters that occur alone or in clusters, weep clear yellow fluid, and then crust over. On the mouth, it is known as a cold sore. On the genitals, it is known as genital herpes and is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Most often, the viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 cause oral and genital lesions, respectively. Less commonly, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes.

The blisters may be triggered by stress, menstruation, illness, or sun exposure. The infected site often starts to itch or tingle before the actual appearance of blisters.

Learn more about cold sores and genital herpes.

2. Impetigo

Impetigo is a common bacterial infection in babies and children. It causes an irritating rash and fluid-filled blisters that pop easily and form a honey-colored crust.

The rash is often located in the area around the mouth, chin, and nose.

Read more about impetigo.

3. Burns

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Burn severity is classified by depth and size: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. The blisters will usually form if it is a second-degree burn.

Read more about burns.

4. Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis appears hours to days after an area of skin has been in contact with an allergen or irritant.

The skin becomes itchy, red, scaly, or raw. Blisters can form, which weep, ooze, or become crusty.

Read more about contact dermatitis.

5. Aphthous stomatitis

Aphthous stomatitis is also known as a canker sore. it can be triggered by an infection, injury, stress, and other diseases.

The ulcers are round or oval with a red, inflamed border and yellow or white center.

Read more about canker sores.

6. Frostbite

This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Frostbite is caused by extreme cold and can affect fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, or chin.

The symptoms include numbness and discoloration of the skin, along with blisters filled with fluid or blood in severe cases.

Read more about frostbite.

7. Shingles

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox.

It’s a very painful rash of fluid-filled blisters, typically appearing in a linear stripe pattern on one side of the body, often accompanied by low fever, chills, headache, or fatigue.

Read more about shingles.

8. Chickenpox

In chickenpox, clusters of itchy, red, fluid-filled blisters in various stages of healing all over the body.

The rash is accompanied by fever, body aches, sore throat, and loss of appetite. Chickenpox remains contagious until all blisters have crusted over.

Read more about chickenpox.

9. Dyshidrotic eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema is a condition that causes itchy blisters to form, often on the hands or feet.

The cause is unknown, but it may be related to allergies. Symptoms include dry, red, scaly skin and deep cracks.

Read more about dyshidrotic eczema.

10. Pemphigoid

Pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune disorder causing a skin rash and blisters on various parts of the body.

There are various types of pemphigoid that are based on where and when the blistering occurs.

A red rash is often the first sign of pemphigoid. Later thick and large blisters form, containing clear fluid or blood. If they burst, they typically hurt.

Read more about pemphigoid.

11. Pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes of various parts of the body, including the face, genitals, and even the lungs.

It causes painful, itchy blisters that break and bleed easily and can cause pain when eating or swallowing.

Read more about pemphigus vulgaris.

12. Erysipelas

Erysipelas is a bacterial infection in the upper layer of the skin.

It’s usually caused by the group A Streptococcus bacterium (GAS). Symptoms can include fever and chills, swelling on the skin, and blisters on the affected area.

Read more about erysipelas.

13. Dermatitis herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering, burning skin rash that’s associated with celiac disease.

The symptoms include extremely itchy bumps filled with clear liquid that form and heal in waxing and waning cycles.

Read more about dermatitis herpetiformis.

Most blisters require no treatment. If you leave them alone, they’ll disappear, and the top skin layers prevent infection. You can cover a skin lesion if it’s contagious, such as shingles, when there are active lesions.

Don’t puncture a blister unless it’s very painful, as the skin over the fluid protects you from infection. If the cause is friction, chemicals, or allergens, the best treatment is to avoid what’s causing your skin to blister.

Blisters caused by infections should be evaluated by a doctor. In addition to medication for the infection, they may be able to give you something to treat the symptoms.

Some conditions that can cause blisters, such as pemphigus vulgaris, don’t have a cure and can only be managed with medications. This may include steroid creams to relieve skin rashes or antibiotics to cure skin infections.

For the most common blisters — those caused by friction on the skin of your feet — you can make changes such as wearing well-fitting shoes and thickly cushioned socks. Have a bandage on hand in case they start to form.

Read this article in Spanish.

Urticaria and angioedema – Treatment of allergies and asthma in Allergomed

Urticaria is a disease caused by various factors, characterized by the appearance of a skin rash, the primary element of which is a blister.

Angioedema (giant urticaria, angioedema) is a hereditary or acquired disease characterized by swelling of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and mucous membranes of various organs and systems (respiratory, digestive, urinary).

Most common causes of hives and angioedema

1. Foods: fish, fish roe, crustaceans (crayfish, shrimp, crabs), milk, eggs, nuts, legumes, citrus fruits, chocolate, honey, cheese, strawberries, food coloring and preservatives.
2. Medicines: antibiotics, B vitamins, protein preparations (plasma, blood, immunoglobulin), muscle relaxants, radiopaque agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.
3. Insect bites.
4. Parasites (protozoa, helminths).
5. Infectious agents: viruses (hepatitis B and C), bacteria, fungi. Most patients have foci of infection in the ENT organs, the oral cavity, the digestive system, and in the urogenital tract.
6. Physical factors pressure, cold, heat, insolation, physical activity.
7. Chemicals: metal salts (chromium, nickel, cobalt), latex, ointments, creams, household chemicals.
8. Aeroallogens: household (house dust), epidermal, pollen (see section Allergic rhinitis – classification of allergens).
9. Psychogenic factors (neuro-psychic overstrain, acute stressful situation, chronic anxiety).
10. Diseases of the digestive system, neoplastic diseases, collagenosis, porphyria.
11. Often the cause of urticaria and Quincke’s edema cannot be identified. In this case, one speaks of idiopathic urticaria.

Main symptoms

Urticaria and angioedema are acute and chronic.

Urticaria is characterized by the appearance of blisters of various sizes, accompanied by skin itching. The blisters appear suddenly and disappear after a few hours or days. Body temperature often rises, weakness appears, and blood pressure may decrease.

Angioedema is manifested by dense painless infiltrates localized on the face (lips, eyelids), in the oral cavity (soft palate, tongue, tonsils). Approximately a quarter of patients have damage to the respiratory tract (larynx, trachea, bronchi). There is a barking cough, asthma attacks and asphyxia. In 30% of cases, edema of the esophagus, stomach, intestines appears, which manifests itself in nausea, vomiting, swallowing disorders, abdominal pain, flatulence, and intestinal obstruction. Localization of the process can be manifested by the urinary and nervous systems, which, accordingly, will be manifested by urinary retention and symptoms of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, lethargy.

Diagnosis of urticaria

1. Typical allergic history.
2. Blood eosinophilia.
3. Increased immunoglobulin E level.
4. Positive provocative tests for cold, physical effort, vibration, etc.
5. A complete gastrointestinal examination is required, and in some cases immunological studies are required.

Treatment of urticaria and angioedema

• Exclusion of allergens or causally significant disease factors.
• Drug therapy is prescribed depending on the identified cause of urticaria or angioedema.
• Non-drug therapy (see non-drug treatments).

Despite the fact that urticaria and angioedema are among the most difficult to treat allergic pathologies, the effectiveness of complex treatment is 95-98% of good and excellent results.

Allergomed clinic has unique methods of treating these pathologies.

Uvulitis (inflammation of the uvula) – causes, symptoms and treatment

Definition of the disease: what is uvulitis

Uvulitis is an acute inflammation of the uvula or uvula. Translated from Latin, uvula means “tongue” – the shape of the organ resembles an oblong berry.

Uvula helps to pronounce specific “trembling” sounds – such are, for example, in French, Arabic, Georgian and Native American languages.

This small process is located at the entrance to the larynx – along the median line of the posterior edge of the soft palate. The uvula secretes saliva, pushes food along with the tongue to the esophagus and, when swallowed, closes the nasal passages so that pieces of food and liquid do not get there.

Uvulu is easy to see if you open your mouth wide and look in the mirror, it is a “drop” that hangs over the base of the tongue

The uvula is a very sensitive and delicate organ. It consists of connective tissue and is covered with a mucous membrane. If for some reason (for example, due to infection, severe coughing or smoking) the vessels inside the uvula burst, a hematoma is formed. – the palatine uvula swells, severe pain appears.

Causes of uvulitis

Uvulitis rarely occurs as an independent disease – most often inflammation develops against the background of viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract. For example, during a sore throat or pharyngitis, the doctor, upon examination, may see that the uvula has turned red and a white coating has appeared on it – a trace that bacteria leave on the mucous membrane.

The uvula can also become swollen and painful due to smoking, gastrointestinal problems, or allergies to food, pollen, and pets.

Possible causes of uvula inflammation:

• viral infections: uvulitis may be a concomitant symptom of diseases caused by influenza viruses, herpes viruses, adenoviruses, coronaviruses and Epstein-Barr virus. For example, the uvula becomes inflamed with tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis. In some patients, uvulitis appears against the background of COVID-19;
• Bacterial and fungal infections: Streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae can also cause uvula inflammation. Often uvulitis becomes a complication of oral candidiasis (thrush) – damage to the oral cavity by fungi of the genus Candida;
• allergy: edema may be the body’s reaction to an antigen – a substance that the immune system perceives as suspicious and tries to destroy. If the allergic reaction is particularly strong, Quincke’s edema can develop – a dangerous condition when the eyes, lips, tongue and uvula suddenly swell;
• genetic feature: with congenital angioedema, the body lacks a special protein that restrains the immune system and prevents it from attacking its own body by mistake. In people with this pathology, edema may appear in different parts of the body even due to cold, some foods and minor injuries;
• exposure to chemicals and tobacco: uvula has been known to become inflamed after inhaling gasoline, paint, solvents, tobacco smoke, and e-cigarette fumes;
• snoring or severe coughing may be both causes and symptoms of uvulitis;
• dehydration: when the body loses water – due to overheating, diarrhea, vomiting or improper drinking regimen – it tries to retain the remaining fluid in organs and tissues, which may cause edema, including edema of the uvula;
• sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea and syphilis often cause inflammation of the larynx, tonsils, gums, tongue and uvula;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): a disease of the digestive system in which many patients develop laryngopharyngeal reflux, the backflow of gastric juice into the esophagus and then into the throat, leading to inflammation in the oral cavity;
• injuries: uvulitis is often a complication after surgery, when the patient is intubated – a plastic tube is inserted that helps the person breathe under anesthesia.

Symptoms of uvulitis

When uvulitis, sore throat usually occurs abruptly during eating, after a sudden cough or sneezing. Sometimes the uvulitis makes itself known for the first time at night – it becomes difficult for a person to breathe, there may be a feeling that a lump is stuck in the throat. At the same time, if you try to clear your throat, the pain will only increase.

The main symptom of uvulitis is unbearable and sudden pain in the throat

Other common symptoms of uvulitis:

• high body temperature and chills;
• Gagging – appears because the enlarged uvula presses on the root of the tongue;
• dry cough that does not relieve;
• shortness of breath;
• increased salivation;
• white coating on tongue and uvula;
• snoring.

Uvulitis diagnostics

Sometimes uvulitis goes away on its own in a few days. But if the symptoms persist longer and the general state of health has worsened, you need to tell the doctor – therapist or otolaryngologist about this.

The doctor will conduct an examination – swelling, bright red or bluish color of the palatine uvula, film and sores on its tip will indicate uvulitis.

Immediate medical attention may be needed if breathing becomes difficult and shortness of breath worsens.

Laboratory diagnostics

Laboratory tests may be required to clarify the diagnosis and understand the true cause of uvula inflammation.

A complete blood count with a leukocyte formula will help to understand the nature of inflammation – it is associated with a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.

Clinical blood test with leukocyte formula and ESR (with microscopy of a blood smear in case of pathological changes) (venous blood)

430 ₽

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For an accurate diagnosis of the causes of uvulitis, it is important to understand which viruses provoked inflammation.

Culture of the upper respiratory tract for microflora (nose, pharynx)

670 ₽

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Influenza A + B (Influenza A + B, influenza), antigen test

900 ₽

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Adenovirus IgA (p/col)

660 ₽

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Coronavirus, RNA (SARS-CoV-2, PCR) smear, quality

1 700 ₽

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Herpes virus 1. 2 types, DNA (HHV-1.2, PCR) plasma, quality.

240 ₽

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Herpes virus type 6, DNA (HHV-6, PCR) plasma, quality.

240 ₽

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If, upon examination, a gray or yellowish coating is noticeable on the uvula and the patient has enlarged lymph nodes, liver and spleen, this may be a symptom of infectious mononucleosis, a disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.

Epstein-Barr virus, DNA (EBV, PCR) plasma, quality

260 ₽

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Epstein-Barr virus, DNA (EBV, PCR) scraping, quality.

260 ₽

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If an allergy is suspected, allergy tests are performed – tests that help to understand which antigen triggers the reaction. Allergic uvulitis can be triggered by any allergen — plant pollen, food, dust, and pet dander.

Allergy (44 food and respiratory allergens), IgE (Allergy-Q immunoblot)

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Allergy in children (7 respiratory and 13 food allergens) (RIDA-immunoblot panel No. 4)

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Food allergy (72 allergens), IgE ( Allergy-Q-immunoblot)

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Allergochip ALEX2 (300 allergocomponents) (vein blood)

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Treatment of uvulitis

Usually, the uvula quickly returns to normal if the underlying disease is dealt with. The doctor will select the treatment – it depends on the cause of the uvulitis.

If swelling is due to allergies, antihistamines are prescribed.

Antivirals, antifungals, or antibiotics may be needed to clear the infection if the infection is caused by bacteria.

In case of severe edema and to relieve inflammation, the doctor may recommend physiotherapy procedures – drug inhalations and phonophoresis Phonophoresis A method of physiotherapy that combines the use of drugs and the action of ultrasonic high-frequency waves..

Treatment of uvulitis at home

Regardless of the cause of uvulitis, symptomatic treatment is prescribed to alleviate the condition – lozenges and sprays for sore throat. To reduce swelling and pain, you can gargle with warm salt water – one teaspoon of salt per glass of water.

It is also useful to drink plenty of warm water – this will help minimize the effects of intoxication in case of infectious uvulitis. In addition, it is important to monitor the humidity in the room: dry air will irritate the uvula, which can lead to a coughing fit.

It is advisable to give up solid food for a while in favor of pureed soups and mashed potatoes.

Prognosis of uvulitis and possible complications

With timely diagnosis, the disease responds well to treatment and rarely leads to complications. Uvulitis itself is not contagious, but viruses and bacteria are transmitted from person to person, which cause inflammation of the uvula.

Isolated uvulitis rarely causes severe complications. The danger is diseases due to which the palatine uvula has increased, including angioedema and false croup.

Sometimes uvulitis turns from an acute form into a chronic one: edema and pain are not amenable to conservative treatment and often return.