Which condition presents with flushed skin, hives, edema, and stridor following exposure to an allergen?

• A. Anaphylaxis.
• B. Asthma.
• C. Bronchitis.
• D. Bronchiolitis.

Answer: (A)

Recognizing a systemic allergic reaction from allergen exposure is the key idea. When a person encounters an allergen, mast cell mediators can trigger widespread effects, causing skin flushing, hives, and angioedema, along with upper airway swelling that leads to stridor. This combination of skin manifestations with airway involvement after exposure is classic for anaphylaxis, a medical emergency.

This differs from other airway or lung conditions. Asthma mainly involves bronchoconstriction giving wheeze and shortness of breath, and it doesn’t typically present with hives and angioedema after a specific exposure. Bronchitis and bronchiolitis are usually infectious conditions with cough and fever and lack the immediate, multi-system allergic signs following allergen contact.

In short, the rapid appearance of skin symptoms plus edema and stridor after allergen exposure best fits anaphylaxis, which requires urgent recognition and treatment.