Breathing or swallowing difficulty?
Call 112 immediately in Germany.
← All explanationsAngioedema
What should you do about sudden lip or tongue swelling?
Angioedema is swelling in deeper layers of skin or mucosa. Sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat can be dangerous: call 112 in Germany, especially with breathing or swallowing difficulty or faintness. Do not wait for a routine dental appointment.
For training & practice ↓
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The airway comes first
Swelling may occur without an itchy rash. Arrange emergency help for sudden mouth or throat swelling; do not drive yourself to hospital.
Several possible causes
Allergic and non-allergic forms differ. Certain medicines, including ACE inhibitors, or rare inherited conditions may be involved.
Clarify after emergency care
The medical team discusses possible triggers, medicines and an emergency plan. Sometimes the cause remains unknown. Inform the treatment team about the swelling before further procedures.
Read the full explanation
The airway comes first
Swelling may occur without an itchy rash. Arrange emergency help for sudden mouth or throat swelling; do not drive yourself to hospital.
Several possible causes
Allergic and non-allergic forms differ. Certain medicines, including ACE inhibitors, or rare inherited conditions may be involved.
Clarify after emergency care
The medical team discusses possible triggers, medicines and an emergency plan. Sometimes the cause remains unknown. Inform the treatment team about the swelling before further procedures.
Notes on the teaching images
- Mouth/throat emergency: 112 in Germany · fictional image
- Mouth/throat emergency: 112 in Germany · cause not visible
- Review after emergency care · acute mouth/throat swelling: 112 in Germany
At a glance
No rash?
This does not exclude danger.
Later dental care?
Share previous episodes, medicines and the emergency plan.
Knowledge in motion
Explained in 36 seconds.
Three steps. No audio.
Each scene can also be selected manually.
Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available as text.
Often confused
Swelling is not a complete diagnosis
Infections and other conditions can also cause swelling. Assess immediate danger first, then establish the cause.
Quick answers
Is angioedema always an allergy?
No. Some forms involve different chemical mediators. Lack of itching is not a reason for reassurance.
Can it occur after years on a medicine?
Yes, including during previously uneventful ACE-inhibitor use. Seek immediate medical help if suspected, and take no further dose of that ACE inhibitor until medically assessed.
Is an antihistamine enough?
Do not rely on it for mouth or throat swelling. Different causes respond differently; do not delay emergency care.
At the practice
For the appointment
You can bring this question to your appointment:
After emergency care: what is the likely cause, and which emergency plan applies to me?
Sudden mouth, tongue or throat swelling: seek emergency help; do not make a routine booking.
Call 112 in GermanyEmergency number in GermanyLearning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge
- Oedema
- Fluid accumulation in tissue.
- ACE inhibitors
- Medicines used for conditions including high blood pressure; a possible angioedema trigger.
Make the distinction
Infections and other conditions can also cause swelling. Assess immediate danger first, then establish the cause.
Sources and context
Editorial research: . General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.