Angioedema is a condition that causes swelling in a person’s skin, lips, throat, and internal organs. The symptoms may occur suddenly or over a period of several days. It is a serious medical condition that can be life-threatening. Several types of angioedema exist, including hereditary angioedema, idiopathic angioedema, and drug-induced angioedema. While all of these cases can be severe, a large proportion of people with angioedema can experience a milder form that goes away on its own. There are also several triggers that can cause angioedema. These triggers can include drugs, allergens, infections, and environmental factors.
Hereditary angioedema is caused by a mutation of an enzyme in the complement pathway, an area of the immune system. The enzyme can be present in the blood, skin, or a person’s saliva. Some symptoms of hereditary angioedema can appear spontaneously without any known trigger. Depending on the severity of the angioedema, a person’s doctor may recommend genetic testing to find the mutation. If the angioedema symptoms are caused by a genetic mutation, the doctor may prescribe medication to help build up the patient’s immune system.
Idiopathic angioedema is a condition that is triggered by allergic reactions to certain foods or medications. Although a food allergy can be a very serious reaction, the most common triggers of angioedema are peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. Other symptoms include itchy hives, difficulty breathing, and stomach upset. In addition, angioedema can affect the hands, feet, or genitalia.
Medications such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers can cause angioedema. Angiotensin 2 receptor blockers are generally safe and can reduce the risk of angioedema. However, if you are taking angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, you should speak with your doctor about your risk for angioedema. Also, ACE inhibitors are usually avoided by patients with angioedema history, so they should be aware of this risk.
In some cases, angioedema is triggered by an underlying disease, such as lupus. In other cases, angioedema is caused by an allergic reaction to a medication, such as aspirin. For these cases, a blood test can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. A patient may also need to take epinephrine to treat the angioedema. This medicine is given subcutaneously, or directly into the affected area. When angioedema is severe, epinephrine may need to be administered by injection.
Drug-induced angioedema is caused by lisinopril, rtPA therapy, and other medicines that are used to treat blood pressure and heart conditions. In some cases, angioedema can be triggered by other medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. In other cases, angioedema can be caused by infections, including shingles and adenovirus.
Food allergy tests are useful in cases of isolated angioedema, but they are not necessary. You can learn more about your allergy triggers by keeping a written diary of your symptoms. Identifying your triggers can help prevent or lessen angioedema episodes. Keeping a written diary of your symptoms can also help your doctor determine the effectiveness of your allergy medicine.
