Angioedema Treatment and Management

Expert care for allergy-related swelling affecting lips, face and deeper tissues

Led by Professor Gideon Lack, we combine pioneering research with personalised care plans to help you or your child manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Comprehensive diagnosis to identify specific allergen triggers
Evidence-based treatment plans tailored to your allergic profile
Expert guidance to prevent and manage allergic episodes
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What is angioedema?

Allergic angioedema is a condition where deep swelling occurs in the skin and mucous membranes as part of an allergic reaction. Unlike surface-level hives, this swelling affects deeper tissue layers, most commonly appearing in the face, lips, eyes, and sometimes the tongue, throat, hands, feet, or genitals. About 7-8% of people will experience angioedema at some point in their lives. While usually manageable, it can occasionally affect breathing and require urgent medical attention.

How angioedema develops

When an allergen enters your body, your immune system can overreact, causing blood vessels to leak fluid into deeper skin layers. Here's what happens:
  • You're first exposed to an allergen, which sensitises your immune system
  • Future exposure triggers allergic antibodies (IgE)
  • Mast cells and basophils release inflammatory chemicals
  • Blood vessels become more permeable
  • Fluid leaks into tissues, causing characteristic swelling

Common symptoms

Allergic angioedema symptoms can vary in severity and presentation. Recognising these signs is important for appropriate management.
Skin and tissue symptoms
  • Sudden swelling of the skin and mucous membranes
  • Swelling that feels firm and "doughy" rather than soft
  • Asymmetric swelling that can distort facial features
  • Episodes that typically last 24-72 hours
  • Normal or slightly reddened skin over swollen areas
Sensation symptoms
  • Discomfort or pain at swelling sites
  • Sensation of tightness or pressure
  • Usually minimal or no itching (unlike hives)
  • Burning sensation in some cases
Potential airway-related symptoms
  • Hoarseness or change in voice
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Throat tightness or sensation of choking
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (in severe cases)

Common triggers

Understanding your specific allergen triggers is key to preventing future episodes. Our specialists can help identify these through detailed clinical assessment and appropriate testing including skin prick tests and specific IgE blood tests. Common triggers include:
  • Foods: Tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, and specific fruits
  • Environmental allergens: Pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mould spores
  • Other triggers: Medications, insect stings, latex, and some food additives

Impact on daily life

Allergic angioedema can significantly affect quality of life, creating both physical and emotional challenges.
For children:
  • Distress from sudden, visible facial changes
  • Missed school days during episodes
  • Limited participation in activities due to fear of allergen exposure
  • Parents' anxiety about potential airway involvement
  • Social impacts from visible swelling
For adults:
  • Worry about unpredictable episodes affecting work or social events
  • Self-consciousness during visible facial swelling
  • Sleep disruption from night-time episodes
  • Anxiety about eating out or trying new foods
  • Time lost from work or family responsibilities

When to seek specialist care

While mild, occasional episodes of allergic angioedema can often be managed by your GP, you should consider specialist care if you or your child experiences:
  • Recurring angioedema episodes
  • Symptoms not responding to antihistaminesInterference with daily activities
  • Uncertainty about specific allergen triggers
  • For children: Impact on school, emotional distress, or family history of allergies
  • For adults: Complex allergy management needs or interest in long-term treatment strategies
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Our expert approach to diagnosis and treatment

We provide a comprehensive approach to managing allergic angioedema through advanced diagnostics and personalised treatment plans.
Comprehensive allergy assessment
Our specialists begin with a thorough evaluation that includes:
Detailed medical history focused on swelling patterns and potential allergen exposures
Comprehensive physical examination
Advanced allergy testing: skin prick testing to identify specific allergens, specific IgE blood tests when appropriate, somponent testing for certain food allergies
Correlation of test results with your symptom patterns
Evaluation of other allergic conditions that may coexist
Your path to relief
We develop tailored treatment plans based on your specific allergen triggers and individual needs:
Allergen avoidance strategies customised to your lifestyle
Acute treatment protocols for managing episodes
Preventive approaches including optimised antihistamine regimens
Emergency action plans for severe reactions
Consideration of immunotherapy for certain environmental allergens
Long-term monitoring and treatment adjustment
Immediate symptom relief
  • Targeted antihistamine treatments
  • Protective eye drops
  • Environmental modifications
  • Practical comfort measures
Long-term management
  • Immunotherapy to address root causes
  • Preventive treatment programmes
  • Personalised avoidance strategies
  • Ongoing condition monitoring

Why choose us for Angioedema care?

Led by Professor Gideon Lack, we bring world-leading expertise to the treatment of allergic angioedema. Our approach combines advanced diagnostic techniques with evidence-based treatments reflecting the latest developments in allergy science.

We create personalised management plans for both children and adults, tailored to your specific allergen triggers and lifestyle needs. Our particular expertise in food allergies and their relationship to angioedema enables highly targeted care for this complex condition.

We also understand the emotional impact of visible swelling and unpredictable episodes. Our team addresses both physical symptoms and emotional wellbeing, working closely with your GP and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care.
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Eczema
“As far as our family is concerned, Professor Lack is a miracle worker. We trust his advice implicitly and are very lucky to have him as our daughter’s specialist.”
Eczema
28th Sept 2024
Eczema
verified patient

Pioneering research, personalised care

Our approach combines groundbreaking research with personalised care. Professor Lack's work has influenced allergy treatment protocols worldwide, ensuring you receive the most effective, up-to-date care available.
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Your questions answered

What is the difference between allergic angioedema and urticaria (hives)?
While both conditions are allergic responses, they affect different skin layers. Urticaria (hives) causes raised, itchy welts on the skin's surface that typically resolve within 24 hours. Allergic angioedema affects deeper tissue layers, causing more substantial swelling that takes longer to resolve (24-72 hours), usually with minimal itching. Many patients experience both conditions simultaneously as part of the same allergic reaction.
Can allergic angioedema be dangerous?
Most cases are uncomfortable but not life-threatening. However, angioedema affecting the tongue, throat, or airway can potentially obstruct breathing and requires immediate medical attention. Our team provides clear emergency action plans, adrenaline auto-injector training when appropriate, and education about warning signs that require urgent care.
How is allergic angioedema diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves a detailed clinical history, physical examination, and specific allergy tests including skin prick testing, specific IgE blood tests, and component resolved diagnostics for certain food allergies. We may also use challenge testing in carefully selected cases and detailed symptom diaries to identify patterns. Our comprehensive approach ensures we accurately identify your specific allergen triggers.

What treatments are available for allergic angioedema?

Treatment follows a multi-faceted approach including allergen identification and avoidance strategies, non-sedating antihistamines for prevention and acute treatment, short courses of oral corticosteroids for significant episodes, emergency medications including adrenaline auto-injectors for severe cases, and immunotherapy for certain environmental allergen triggers.

Can allergic angioedema occur without obvious allergen exposure?
Sometimes allergic angioedema can seem to occur without obvious exposure to known allergens. This may happen because of hidden allergens in foods or products, cross-reactive allergens, very small amounts of allergen exposure, delayed reactions to earlier exposures, or cofactors that enhance allergic reactions (exercise, alcohol, medications, stress). Our specialists are experienced in investigating these complex cases.
Can children outgrow allergic angioedema?

Children with allergic angioedema often have a good chance of outgrowing their condition, particularly if it's linked to food allergies that are commonly outgrown (like milk or egg). The likelihood varies depending on the specific allergen triggers:

  • Milk and egg allergies: 60-80% chance of outgrowing by adolescence.
  • Peanut and tree nut allergies: 15-20% chance of outgrowing
  • Environmental allergen-triggered angioedema: May persist but can be effectively managed

Regular assessment by our specialists can track changes in your child's allergic sensitisation.

Ready to take control of your allergic angioedema?

Our specialist team is here to help you identify your specific allergen triggers and manage your condition with confidence.
Speak to our Team
London Medical 

49 Marylebone High St.
The Portland Hospital 

215 Great Portland Street 

07493 280048 
/ 07765 977819
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