Chemosis

Alternative names:

fluid-filled conjunctiva

Home care:

Initial attempts to treat angioedema or allergies include use of over-the-counter antihistamines. Cool cloths held over the eyes can relieve some of the discomfort associated with chemosis.

Call your health care provider if:

• symptoms are not relieved by home care.
• other symptoms are also present, particularly symptoms not normally associated with allergy or angioedema. Difficulty breathing and fainting are serious symptoms that can indicate that an emergency situation is developing!

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include:

• time pattern
  • When did it start?
  • How long did it last?
  • Is there a pattern to the occurrences?

• quality
  • How bad is it?
  • How would you describe it?
  • How much is the eye swollen?

• aggravating factors
  • What makes it worse?

• relieving factors
  • What makes it better?

• other
  • What other symptoms occur at the same time? Particularly, is there any difficulty breathing or is the person confused or hard to awaken (emergency symptoms)?

A physical examination will include emphasis on examination of the eyes.

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to chemosis to your personal medical record.