Attack Characteristics
- Approximately half of patients with HAE may experience an attack before the age of 10
- Attacks may be preceded by skin tightness or tingling or a non-raised rash
- Extremity attacks may be painful and interfere with daily functions e.g., difficulty wearing shoes or with fine motor skills
- Attacks can vary in location from person to person and from
attack to attack, including:
- Face
- Hands and arms
- Genitals and buttocks
- Throat/upper airways
- Abdomen
- Feet and legs
- Abdominal attacks may cause nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea and may last days, if not treated, and can result in hospitalization
- Attacks located in the face and neck may become disfiguring and disabling, e.g., lips may become too swollen to eat, and obstruct the upper airways, making it difficult to breathe. In the worst case, an upper airway attack can be fatal
