• medications
• foods (such as berries, shellfish, fish, nuts, eggs, milk, and others)
• pollen
• animal dander (scales of shed skin)
• insect bites
• exposure to water, sunlight, cold or heat
• emotional stress

• sudden development of wheals or welts
  • usually located on the eyes and mouth, but may also occur on the hands and feet or in the throat
  • red
  • itching or painful
  • blanch and swell if irritated
  • deep
• localized edema (eyes and mouth appear swollen)
• abdominal cramping
• difficulty breathing
• chemosis (swollen conjunctiva)

Mild symptoms may not need treatment. Moderate to severe symptoms may need treatment. Difficulty breathing or stridor indicates an emergency condition.

Self-care includes cool compresses or soaks to the area to provide pain relief and reduce symptoms.

Medications to reduce the allergic response and associated symptoms include antihistamines, adrenaline (epinephrine), terbutaline, cimetidine, corticosteroids, sedatives, and tranquilizers.

For an emergency condition, protect the airway (see breathing difficulties - first aid). At the hospital, there may be a need for intubation (placement of a tube in the throat to keep the airway open).

To prevent recurrence of angioedema avoid irritating the affected area, avoid known allergens, and avoid temperature extremes. See also allergic reactions.

• life-threatening airway obstruction (if swelling occurs in the throat)
• anaphylactic reaction

Call your health care provider if angioedema is severe and does not respond to treatment.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if difficulty breathing, wheezing, stridor, or fainting occurs with an episode of angioedema.