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Itchy Armpits, Sore Throat And Swollen Lips, Eyes. Prescribed Antibiotics. Tested For Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis. What Is The Cause?
Posted on
Mon, 7 May 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 7 May 2012
Answered on
Sun, 8 Jul 2012
Last reviewed on
Question : My son has had itchy armpits, very sore throat and swollen lips and eyes . We went to the doctor yesterday they prescribed antibiotics for throat. He is not allergic to anything that we know about no previous history of anything. They also took a urine sample from him to test for post streptococcal glomerulonephritis which i don't know a lot about but his symptoms are really just the sore throat which seems to be getting better more concerned about swelling in face and itchy armpits he has also had a temperature along with this
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Considering your child's symptoms and the fact that he has been seen by a doctor , the most probable diagnosis does seem a bacterial throat infection. Since the doctor has already started antibiotics the chances of complications like glomerulonephritis are less . However the fact that he has swelling of the face makes it necessary to rule out the most common causes like allergy or a kidney damage .Both can cause swelling of eyes and face and with few blood and urine tests , the cause can be confirmed by his doctor and accordingly treated.
Though he has no known allergy , remember that allergy can start at any age either triggered by food or environment allergens or infection itself .
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (GN) is a disorder of the kidneys that occurs after infection with certain strains of Streptococcus bacteria.The infection does not occur in the kidneys, but in a different part of the body, such as the skin or throat.
The disorder may develop 1 - 2 weeks after an untreated throat infection which triggers an immune mediated damage to the kidney causing symptoms like decreased urination, blood in urine, high blood pressure , swelling of the face , feet or whole body etc.
As of now the exact prognosis in your child cannot be commented upon till his investigations are known . However the treatment has already been started and in case of early or minor infections his symptoms should be resolving within a week or two .
Please do not worry as its not a very likely complication and if the urine tests are normal then there is no risk of kidney damage. Do maintain his hydration by giving adequate fluids and keep a watch on his urine output.
For itching his doctor might prescribe an antihistamine like hydroxyzine , cetrizine etc .Warm saline gargles thrice daily may hasten recovery from sore throat.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing your child a speedy recovery.
Regards.
Thanks for posting your query.
Considering your child's symptoms and the fact that he has been seen by a doctor , the most probable diagnosis does seem a bacterial throat infection. Since the doctor has already started antibiotics the chances of complications like glomerulonephritis are less . However the fact that he has swelling of the face makes it necessary to rule out the most common causes like allergy or a kidney damage .Both can cause swelling of eyes and face and with few blood and urine tests , the cause can be confirmed by his doctor and accordingly treated.
Though he has no known allergy , remember that allergy can start at any age either triggered by food or environment allergens or infection itself .
Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (GN) is a disorder of the kidneys that occurs after infection with certain strains of Streptococcus bacteria.The infection does not occur in the kidneys, but in a different part of the body, such as the skin or throat.
The disorder may develop 1 - 2 weeks after an untreated throat infection which triggers an immune mediated damage to the kidney causing symptoms like decreased urination, blood in urine, high blood pressure , swelling of the face , feet or whole body etc.
As of now the exact prognosis in your child cannot be commented upon till his investigations are known . However the treatment has already been started and in case of early or minor infections his symptoms should be resolving within a week or two .
Please do not worry as its not a very likely complication and if the urine tests are normal then there is no risk of kidney damage. Do maintain his hydration by giving adequate fluids and keep a watch on his urine output.
For itching his doctor might prescribe an antihistamine like hydroxyzine , cetrizine etc .Warm saline gargles thrice daily may hasten recovery from sore throat.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing your child a speedy recovery.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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