Angioedema Treatment: There are four basic categories when it comes to treatments for angioedema: allergic angioedema treatments, drug induced angioedema treatments, hereditary angioedema treatments and acquired angioedema treatments.
Treatment: Appropriate treatments for angioedema vary and depend upon the type of angioedema being treated:
Allergic angioedema: strict avoidance of the allergen and use of antihistamines/steroid therapy to aid in the alleviation of symptoms.
Drug induced angioedema: immediate discontinuation of drug triggering angioedema as well as drug therapy to alleviate symptoms immediately.
Hereditary angioedema: avoidance of stimuli triggering the problem as well as drug therapy to alleviate symptoms immediately.
Acquired Angioedema: Proper drug therapy is the only action to be taken for acquired this diagnosis. Drug therapy should be closely monitored.
In some instances angioedema can be safely left untreated. Cool compresses and/or soaks can alleviate mild pain and/or discomfort. Angioedema that is resulting in breathing difficulty in the patient should be treated as an emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Antihistamines, Tagamet, epinephrine, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, etc. are all medications that can effectively treat this problem. Medical aid should be sought immediately for relief from any breathing difficulties. Once a patient is in a hospital setting a tube can be inserted in the throat in order to open the airway to relieve difficulty breathing.