What is the best treatment for angioedema and how can someone not let it dictate their life?

Hello.  I suffered angioedema and chronic hives for years.  It has been ten years angioedema free until a few months ago.  First the chronic hives started and then the lip swelling.  I am so anxious I can't go anywhere unless there is a hospital nearby because I am so nervous that my throat will swell up.  My throat has never swelled up and I have atarax and epi-pen just in case but it is ruining my life.  I stay away from the foods Im allergic to.  My last trip to the Er the nurse said grass (my husband cut the grass the night before and I woke up with a swollen eye and jaw) could do it because I am allergic to grass.  How do I function knowing that at any time my face or throat could swell up???  I worry if Im driving it will happen and Im scared.  Will the epi-pen stop throat swelling all time?  I have an appt with my allergist in a few weeks but I am scared to do anything or eat anything.  My C1, C2, and C3 tests are negative.  Could it be grass causing angioedema and if so then why does it only happen sometimes?  I am so anxious and scared I just want to stay on prednisone all the time but I know it is not healthy too.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to cope with this condition?  Thanks so much!!!

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your concern. It is evident from your history that you could most probably be suffering from allergic manifestations like angioedema and hives. These diseases are usually triggered by an allergen. These allergens, when exposed to initiate immune mediated reactions which will result in the symptoms you experience. The allergic history usually runs in families.

So, the problem can be tackled at preventive and therapy levels.

At the allergen level, you will have to try and track down the allergens, they are best avoided. It may help to maintain a food dairy and keep monitoring your symptoms. This will help to narrow the search and avoid them. Environmental triggers or seasonal or diurnal variations triggers may be difficult to avoid. But being aware can help to avoid the same. Try to maintain an allergen-free environment. Substitute all synthetic and cool materials with cotton ones. Remove all dust-collecting household articles like carpets, bedspreads etc. Just keep monitoring for other sources of allergens. Grass could be the allergen if repeated exposures have caused the reactions. Alternatively an allergy specialist may try to identify the offending allergen and try to desensitize you.

When you have an attack, you can use an antihistamines or epipen for angioedema.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.