[42F] Experiencing mouth lesions, tingling, and swelling with stress

Question

What about angioneuro edema?

Patient Description

A 42-year-old female presents with symptoms starting with a tingling sensation in the mouth, followed by swelling and the development of lesions resembling canker sores on the lips, inside the cheek, and above the lip. These symptoms appear to be triggered by stress and anxiety, with the tingling sensation occurring a day before the other symptoms. The lesions last a few days to a week, causing significant discomfort and a dull pain rated 7 out of 10, particularly impacting the ability to eat foods that require a lot of chewing. The patient also experiences skin swelling followed by drying and peeling but reports no difficulty swallowing, fever, chills, changes in vision, joint pains, known allergies, adverse reactions to medications, or current medication use. There is no family history of autoimmune diseases, and the patient has no pre-existing conditions or chronic illnesses.

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Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms you've described, several conditions could be causing your symptoms:

  • Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (Canker Sores): These are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth or at the base of your gums. They can be painful and make it hard to eat. Stress or tissue injury is thought to be the cause of simple canker sores.

    • Treatment typically involves over-the-counter topical products, mouth rinses, and pain relievers.

  • Herpes Simplex Virus (Cold Sores): This is a common viral infection. It causes small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on and around the lips, inside the mouth, and on the genitals. These are often preceded by a tingling, itching or burning sensation.

    • Treatment usually involves antiviral drugs to speed up healing and decrease symptoms.

  • Behçet's Disease: This is a rare disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation throughout your body. The disease can lead to numerous signs and symptoms that may seem unrelated initially. They may include mouth sores, skin lesions, and inflammation in parts of the eye.

    • Treatment typically involves medications to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system.

  • Pemphigus Vulgaris: This is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes painful blistering on the skin and mucous membranes. Before a blister forms, the skin or mucous membrane may itch or burn.

    • Treatment usually involves corticosteroids and other immune-suppressing drugs.

What you can do

You should seek medical attention to get a proper diagnosis. In the meantime, you can try the following to help manage your symptoms:

  1. Avoid spicy, acidic, or hard foods that can irritate mouth sores.
  2. Use a soft toothbrush to avoid irritating your gums and mouth.
  3. Rinse your mouth with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 cup of warm water.
  4. Try over-the-counter topical products for mouth sores.

What you should look out for

Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • High fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Severe headache
  • Rash on your body
  • Joint pain
  • Changes in vision

Please remember that while I strive to provide accurate information, I'm not a doctor and this advice should not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.

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8 mo ago

People Also Ask

What are the common triggers for canker sores and how can they be managed?

Common triggers for canker sores include stress, minor mouth injuries, acidic or spicy foods, and certain nutritional deficiencies. Management involves avoiding known triggers, using over-the-counter topical treatments, and maintaining good oral hygiene.

How can I differentiate between canker sores and cold sores?

Canker sores are non-contagious ulcers that occur inside the mouth, while cold sores are contagious blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus, typically appearing on the lips. Cold sores are often preceded by a tingling sensation and can be treated with antiviral medications.

What are the potential complications of untreated Behçet's Disease?

Untreated Behçet's Disease can lead to complications such as vision loss due to eye inflammation, joint pain, and potentially life-threatening issues like blood clots or aneurysms. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

What lifestyle changes can help manage stress-related mouth lesions?

To manage stress-related mouth lesions, consider practicing stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, or regular exercise. Maintaining a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and avoiding known dietary triggers can also help reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks.

2 Comments

Madelyn#94

8 mo ago

How prominent is the swelling and do you have any around your eyes? Angioneurotic edema shouldn't really be accompanied with a canker-sore-like lesion. Personally it seems like you might benefit most from a topical canker sore treatment but if you really think it's angioneurotic edema you could try an antihistamine from CVS/walgreens

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Anonymous#31691

5 mo ago

Need to check for Behcets.

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