What Causes Swollen Skin Tissues When Suffering From Subcutaneous Emphysema?

Posted on Mon, 17 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 Answered on

Tue, 8 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am suffering with subcutaneous emphysema. For a long time I thought I had fluid everywhere then realized its air. Not sure how but I have had oral surgery, tissue removed at lower leg, hysterectomy , teeth extracted in the last year and a half. near fatal accident in 2010 had to have over a dozen surgeries over the next couple years. I have air everywhere! Toes and fingers have swollen so much and one toe has turned black and blue and they feel like balloons about to explode! Cant sleep, when im lying down too air gets in my face and head. It is in my intestines my urine my bowel. I cant stand it anymore and nobody will listen! My body is not absorbing it! I need someone to listen and get this out of me.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Should find out the cause first... Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone through your medical history and feel sorry for the situation you are in. I will try to help you for the best management of your current situation. Subcutaneous emphysema is related to swollen tissued due to air getting inside the tissues under the skin. The very first thing is to find out why air is getting inside the tissues under the skin. Depending on the cause, specific treatment will be prescribed. You can discuss it further with your doctor. You are reporting to have had a fatal accident in 2010 followed by many surgeries. Trauma during accident could be also a possible cause to subcutaneous emphysema. Meanwhile, I advise to: - take more rest - take otc painkillers to relieve pain - discuss with your doctor about oxygen-therapy Hope it helped! Let me know if you have further queries! Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (1 hour later)

I went to my primary first, but thought it was fluid then. Went back saw different doc there, she said I should go to obgyn or gastro. went to obgyn she said she doesn't see it told me to see another specialist. Went to e.r. I think they only looked for mass of air and said they cant do anything....see specialist. OMG!! Cant get into gastro till mid April. I need help now and I know nobody believes me. I cant take it, the discomfort is terrible! Pain. The air collects where all my scars are and causes pain. I can hardly eat or sleep and feel like I cant breathe

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (44 hours later)

Brief Answer: Multiple approach is needed... Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for following up. The very best thing is to find out where the source of problems is : GI tract or other organs. Once the source is found, treatment will be prescribed. In case rupture of esophagus or rectum will be detected, surgical reparation is advised which will alleviate the emphysema problems. If the air collects where all your scars are, then, the scars should be further evaluated by surgeon to get them properly reconstituted, impeding collection of air inside. Subcutaneous drainage is one of other choices together with oxygen therapy depending on the severity of the symptoms. At the end, your need to get a multidisciplinary approach involving: - GI specialist - surgeon - dermatologist - neurologist - pulmonologist in order to determine the source of air collection and proper treatment. Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar