How To Treat Edema And Angioedema Which Is Causing Swellings In Feet, Hands And Scrotum?

Hi, I am sorry to hear about the angioedema. This is an inherited disease due to a defect in the part of the immune system called complements . An important precipitating factor is stress-physical, mental or emotional. From your description, it looks like its quite severe since its affecting your day to day activities. If I was seeing you in clinic, I would obtain the following: 1. Detailed history including foods, medications, intake of alcoho, employment and recreational history to identify a causative agent 2. Treatment: There are two kinds of treatment a) Emergency treatment: in case of swelling of the face and tongue. This is an emergency because it could lead to swelling of the wind pipe in turn leading to choking and potentially be fatal. For this you should have an Epinephrine pen with you at all times- this is given as a single shot if you feel trouble breathing that is associated with the attack of angioedema b) Non emergency treatment: This is with antihistaminics - these are anti-allergy medications and are of two types- H1 receptor blockers that cause drowsiness and H2 receptor blockers that do not cause drowsiness. H1 blockers can either cause significant (cetrizine, diphenhydramine) or some drowsiness (loratidine, fexofenadine). The most common H2 antihistaminic is ranitidine. Usually treatment is with a combination of a H1 and a H2 antihistaminic. Sometime steroids are used for an attack of angioedema- these can be given intravenously or orally. c) Stress relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga as stress is well known to precipitate an attack. Angioedema can sometimes be inherited and in case there is a history of similar symptoms in the family, there may be a need to do a blood test. In severe cases, patients are admitted to the hospital and sometimes even to the ICU if very severe. Given the complex nature of the treatment and need for education regarding emergency care, I would suggest that you either see an Allergy specialist or a general practitioner. Please let me know if that was helpful. If it was, please take a moment to provide a rating. Thanks!