What is angioedema?
Angioedema is swelling of your face, lips, tongue, and throat. Angioedema is often caused by an allergic reaction Overview of Allergic Reactions The immune system is your body's defense system. It helps protect you from illness and infection. The immune system usually reacts to and attacks bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. An allergy... read more .
The swelling may get so bad that you can't breathe
Angioedema can start suddenly and come and go for weeks or months depending on the cause
Doctors may give you epinephrine and antihistamines to lessen your symptoms
Go to the emergency room if you have swelling of your face or throat.
What causes angioedema?
Angioedema may be your body’s reaction to:
Medicine, particularly a type of blood pressure medicine called an ACE inhibitor
Insect stings or bites
Allergy shots
Food, such as eggs, fish, nuts, and fruit
Angioedema may be caused by another health problem. It can also run in your family (hereditary angioedema Hereditary and Acquired Angioedema Hereditary angioedema (a genetic disorder) and acquired angioedema (acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency) are caused by a deficiency or malfunction of C1 inhibitor, which is part of the immune system... read more 
).
What are the symptoms of angioedema?
Angioedema usually causes swelling in your face, lips, and tongue. Sometimes the inside of your mouth and throat swell up, making it hard to swallow or breathe. Your voice may sound hoarse.
Along with the swelling, you may also have these symptoms:
Hives that come and go (red, itchy, raised patches on the skin)
Feeling sick to your stomach, throwing up, or belly cramps
This photo shows swelling of the lips in a person with hereditary angioedema.
By permission of the publisher. From Joe E, Soter N. In Current Dermatologic Diagnosis and Treatment, edited by I Freedberg, IM Freedberg, and MR Sanchez. Philadelphia, Current Medicine, 2001.
This person has a swollen tongue due to angioedema.
SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
This person has swollen lips due to angioedema.
DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
How can doctors tell if I have angioedema?
Doctors can tell based on your symptoms and by examining you. If doctors can’t find the cause, they’ll ask you questions, have you stop taking medicines you might be allergic to, and may do tests.
How do doctors treat angioedema?
The most important thing is to keep your breathing passages open. If you're having trouble breathing, doctors may:
Put a breathing tube down your throat
Give you a shot of epinephrine
Other treatments depend on what doctors think caused your angioedema. Doctors may give you:
Antihistamines to lessen itching and swelling
Corticosteroids
If you have hereditary angioedema, there are special medicines doctors may give you by vein (IV).
Avoiding the cause of your angioedema can help prevent it in the future. If you have a severe reaction, you should always carry a shot of epinephrine and antihistamine pills with you to take in case you start to have another reaction. Then go to a hospital emergency room in case you need more treatment.
