Hereditary Angioedema
What Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Attacks Look Like on 7 Parts of the Body
Wondering what an HAE attack looks like? Here are a variety of ways that they manifest themselves.
By Julie Lynn MarksMedically Reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD
The primary symptom of hereditary angioedema--swelling--can occur in almost any part of the body.
Doc James/Wikimedia Commons
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks are characterized by severe swelling, known as edema, in different parts of your body. The episodes, which can last from two to five days, may be painful, disfiguring, and sometimes, life-threatening.
Symptoms vary and depend on the type of attack you experience. Also, the swelling can start in one location of the body and then spread to another.
Here are some HAE photos that show what an event looks like:
HAE Attacks That Affect The Face
Susan Daniels/iStock
Swelling of the face is one of the most obvious signs of an HAE attack. If your eyes swell up, it might be hard to see. Inflamed lips could make talking, eating, or drinking difficult. In some cases, your entire face may appear disfigured. Luckily, the swelling is temporary and will subside when the attack is over.
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HAE Attacks of the Hands
LucyHAE/Wikimedia Commons
During an HAE attack, your hands might appear much larger than normal, and your fingers might curl in. Swollen hands make it difficult to perform daily tasks, like writing, eating, or holding a phone.
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An HAE Attack on the Feet
Velimir Zeland/Shutterstock
Edema in the feet is another common symptom of an HAE attack. Feet that swell can be painful and interfere with walking and other daily activities.
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Abdominal Attacks: Often Misdiagnosed as Appendicitis or IBS
Abdominal attacks happen when the intestinal wall swells. They can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The swelling can be visibly noticeable. Your belly might appear unusually large and bloated. Sometimes women who experience an abdominal attack look pregnant when they aren't. Abdominal attacks are often misdiagnosed as other health problems such as appendicitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
RELATED: What to Drink and What to Avoid if You Have IBS
HAE Rash: Often the Warning Signal That an Attack Is on the Way
About 25 percent of people with HAE experience a non-itchy, blotchy red rash that happens before or during an attack. This rash can also appear as red circles.
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