Angioedema Specialist

Suburban Allergy Consultants

Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Specialists located in Narberth, Havertown, West Chester, West Grove, & Coatesville, PA

If you experience angioedema in reaction to making contact with an allergen, the Suburban Allergy Consultants team can help. With offices in Narberth, West Chester, West Grove, Coatesville, and Havertown, Pennsylvania, the allergy, asthma, and immunology experts, offer on-site skin testing to identify the source of your angioedema-related reaction. They can also create a treatment plan to prevent additional health complications, including anaphylaxis. Schedule a consultation with Corinna Bowser MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, or Andrew Murphy MD, FAAAAI, by calling the office nearest you or by requesting an appointment online.

Angioedema Q & A

What is angioedema?

Angioedema describes a swelling in the deep layers of your skin tissue. The condition most often affects your mouth, eyelids, and genitals and often develops in conjunction with hives or welts that form on the surface of your skin.

For most people, acute angioedema occurs due to an allergic reaction to certain substances, including food and medications. Chronic angioedema can also occur due to underlying health issues or for no identifiable reason.

If you develop angioedema, you need to schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Suburban Allergy Consultants to identify the root cause of your condition and the allergens that triggered the reaction. This is because angioedema and hives may be an early warning sign of anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that causes sudden inflammation in your airways and interferes with your breathing.

How is angioedema diagnosed?

If you're not sure what’s causing your angioedema, your Suburban Allergy Consultants provider discusses your medical history and reviews your recent activities, including the foods you’ve eaten and new substances you’ve been exposed to before your symptoms started.

To determine what allergens are triggering your angioedema, the Suburban Allergy Consultants team offers in-office skin testing. This procedure involves pricking your skin with small amounts of suspected allergens to evaluate your body’s reaction.

How is angioedema treated?

In addition to lifestyle or dietary modifications to limit your exposure to allergy triggers, your Suburban Allergy Consultants provider may recommend medications that reduce swelling, such as antihistamines or anti-inflammatories.

If you’re prone to an anaphylactic reaction, your provider can also prescribe an injectable epinephrine medicine that quickly reduces airway inflammation to prevent breathing complications. They also work with you on an emergency plan to seek medical treatment at the nearest hospital or by calling 911 after an anaphylactic episode.

To learn more about your options for treating or preventing angioedema, request a consultation at Suburban Allergy Consultants today by calling the office nearest you. Alternatively, you can request an appointment using the online booking tool.

What we offer