My lips and body are swollen with whitening of the palms, nails, and reduced sensation. Please help.

Question

Hi doctor,

Four months before, I noticed a lip swelling that was filled with water. After 20 days, I had whole body swelling (water retention) but had no pain. I also lost moderate skin sensitivity all over the body. For the last four weeks, I am noticing water retention only near lips, and whole-body water retention stopped (but still, I have a loss of moderate skin sensitivity all over my body to date). My palms and nails used to be pinkish, but for the last three weeks, my nails and palms appear somewhat whitish, and also when I open my eyelid downwards, my eyes which used to be reddish, now appear slightly whitish. For four weeks, I have an increased, fast heart rate problem also. I was not having all the above-said problems before four months. When I was 16 years old, I had used the inhaler for my asthma complaint for six months. At present, I do not have any symptoms of asthma after that treatment. Please help. Thank You.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns. As mentioned, your main symptoms are swelling over your lips and body, whitening of nails, skin, and increased heart rate. Though these symptoms do not have a specific diagnosis, together, they can have a few etiologies.

1. Anemia- It is due to low hemoglobin in the body. It results in the whitening of nails, eyes, and palm and also can cause swelling over the body. Also, low hemoglobin can cause an increase in the heart rate.

2. Thyroid problems- They can cause swelling and an increase in heart rate.

3. Rarely renal problems (glomerulonephritis)- Can cause swelling over the body and lips and changes in heart rate.

4. Allergies- Allergies can cause swelling, paleness as well an increase in heart rate. As you had a history of asthma, I am considering this possibility also.

Also, I would like to know if you have symptoms like,

1. Dark, cloudy urine?

2. Weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath?

3. Any rashes over your body?

4. Fever associated with these symptoms?

5. Any allergies?

As mentioned above, your symptoms are of quite a long duration and need investigation before proceeding further. First, we need to find the problem and why it is happening (as you are pretty young). I would consider an initial round of basic investigations like CBC (complete blood count) with blood peripheral smear, renal and liver function tests, and thyroid function tests with urine R/M (routine microscopy) at first. Based on these investigations, we can proceed further. I would urge you not to ignore these symptoms as they can worsen if we do not have a proper diagnosis. Finally, I would be happy to help you further if you have any more questions. You can consult online after these investigations to start some treatment and have a proper diagnosis.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello, Welcome back to Icliniq. I have gone through your query and I have looked at the reports you have provided. Your reports are absolutely normal. Which means possible common causes like anemia, hypothyroidism or renal problem for your symptoms are ruled out. At this point as you are having new symptoms I would definitely advice you to consult a Medicine specialist/endocrinologist who can examine you as this can help in deciding further course of action. We need to look at uncommon causes like cyclic edema, hereditary angioedema and adrenal insufficiency. A possible cause could be problem of adrenal harmones - which are required to maintain balance of water in body. There deficiency/excess also can cause such symptoms- ex Cushing syndrome. This can be detected by some blood tests but before proceeding a consultation with doctor should be taken If you have any other questions you can always revert back here. Thank you.