Treating Angioedema

Treating angioedema is not as thorny as some people would tell you. The typical treatment is based on the type of angioedema you are suffering from i.e. hereditary angioedema treatment is different from acquired angioedema treatment.

The most difficult of all to handle is idiopathic angioedema, as the causes are unknown. However, you don't need to lose hope as it is not impossible. You can have an allergy test by a professional doctor. Urine and blood tests can find whether you are infected with angioedema or not. If the results of these tests are positive, certain therapies or antihistamines intake can be opted for treating angioedema.

Acquired angioedema is relatively easier especially if the diagnosis is prompt. Epinephrine has proved to be a life-saving drug in case of acquired angioedema. Furthermore, antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid, hereditary angioedema types I and II, and non-histaminergic angioedema may be beneficial. Cinnarizine drug has also been proven to be useful especially in patients with liver problems, as it blocks the formation of C4.

On the other hand, hereditary angioedema treatment is more difficult. In hereditary angioedema, causes and triggers must be avoided as in most of the cases it does not respond to epinephrine, antihistamines, or corticosteroids.

When treating angioedema, the most fine-tuned treatment involves C1-INH concentrate from donor blood, which must be administered under expert authority. In many European countries C1-INH concentrate is not commonly available, therefore, fresh frozen blood plasma, which also contains C1-INH, can also be used as an alternative.

As in case of autoimmune causes angioedema is caused by the histamine release therefore, Histamine H1 antagonists counter the effect of histamine and its response in the sensory nerve endings and the blood vessels. These antihistamines are more effectual in stopping histamine response than in reversing it i.e. they are not much useful if histamine reaction has already taken place.