The rash that presents as a red swollen face

A red swollen face can be a skin sign of a potentially life-threatening condition. We present in detail the main clinical presentations, diagnostic tests, and management of some of the most severe conditions that can frequently present as a red and swollen face: acute or recurrent angioedema, mast cell-driven or bradykinin-mediated angioedema, nonhereditary and hereditary angioedema, allergic or photoallergic facial contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, severe adverse drug reactions (particularly drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS]), skin infections (erysipelas, cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis), and autoimmune diseases (dermatomyositis). There are many other conditions that also have to be considered in the differential diagnosis of a red swollen face.

Proposed ICDRG Classification of the Clinical Presentation of Contact Allergy

The International Contact Dermatitis Research Group proposes a classification for the clinical presentation of contact allergy. The classification is based primarily on the mode of clinical presentation. The categories are direct exposure/contact dermatitis, mimicking or exacerbation of preexisting eczema, multifactorial dermatitis including allergic contact dermatitis, by proxy, mimicking angioedema, airborne contact dermatitis, photo-induced contact dermatitis, systemic contact dermatitis, noneczematous contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, protein contact dermatitis, respiratory/mucosal symptoms, oral contact dermatitis, erythroderma/exfoliative dermatitis, minor forms of presentation, and extracutaneous manifestations.