Symptoms of Hereditary Angioedema
Swelling is the common theme in all HAE episodes. But different parts of your body may be affected. Your signs and symptoms might depend on the type of attack you have.
Subcutaneous Attacks
These attacks affect areas of the skin, usually on the face, hands, feet, or genitals. Your skin will swell and may turn red, but it usually doesn’t itch. Sometimes a skin attack causes temporary disfigurement. The swelling can make it hard to perform simple activities like walking or holding a pen. Subcutaneous attacks are often mistaken for allergic reactions.
Abdominal Attacks
Abdominal attacks involve swelling in the intestinal wall that can lead to stomach pain, which may be debilitating. Sometimes you can actually see your stomach area swell but not always. Other symptoms of an abdominal attack include the following:
Abdominal attacks are often misdiagnosed as other medical problems, such as appendicitis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many people undergo unnecessary procedures because of the rarity of HAE.
Laryngeal Attacks
A laryngeal attack involves swelling in your throat. These attacks happen less often than skin or abdominal attacks, but they’re the most serious.
Swelling in the throat or tongue can stop air from getting in and out of your lungs and lead to suffocation.
You may experience these symptoms:
- Tightening in your throat
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Trouble talking
- Hoarseness or a change in the sound of your voice
This type of attack is considered life-threatening and requires emergency medical care. Studies show that without treatment, laryngeal edema episodes have death rates that can be as high as 30 percent.
About half of people with HAE will have at least one laryngeal attack in their lifetime.
You can have this type of attack at any time, even if you’ve never had one before.
It’s a good idea to make sure that your family members, coworkers, and friends know what to do if you experience swelling in your throat.
Other Symptoms to Watch Out For
Some general symptoms are associated with HAE:
- Pain
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Muscle aches
- Tingling skin
- Headache
- Mood changes
About 25 percent of people with HAE also have a nonitchy rash that happens before or during an attack.
Sometimes an HAE attack can start in one location of the body, then move to another area.
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