2. Difficulty to swallow
It is mainly associated with swelling in the area of the tongue, and more common in the case of food allergies. In these cases, swelling is not limited to the lips and the tongue. Other parts of the digestive system start to narrow and swallowing becomes difficult and often painful. Even swallowing water and other fluids might feel different and awkward. This is an alarming sign that should be addressed immediately, especially in patients with known hypersensitivity reactions. In some cases, a mild difficulty to swallow may progress into breathing problems as discussed below, and become a life-threatening problem.