What are the common triggers of HAE?

Stress and anxiety, Medical or dental procedures, physical activities, and hormonal changes.

Image composed of HAE treatment items and text bubbles and sticky notes that say, "It feels like a frog in my throat," "Sorry, I'm not coming. I'm swelling," and "I'm in pain. I need help."

FULL PALETTE: SYMPTOMS & TRIGGERS

Swelling Attacks & Symptoms

An infographic showing the parts of the body commonly affected by hereditary angioedema (HAE) swelling. Highlighted areas include the face/throat, abdomen, genitals, hands, and feet.

Symptoms of hereditary angioedema (HAE) can vary from person to person, and may appear in the following areas:

Face/Throat

Swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat can be serious. Throat swelling can block your airway, making it difficult to breathe, and can be a life-threatening medical emergency.¹ Most people living with HAE experience a laryngeal attack in their lifetime.²

Stomach/GI Area

Stomach pain is very common. Chronic abdominal pain is reported by the majority of people living with HAE.³

Genitals

Attacks in the genital region can be particularly stressful because they often negatively impact intimacy, relationships, and mental health.^4,5

Hands/Feet

Painful, non-itchy swelling in the hands, feet, arms, and legs can make it difficult or impossible to walk, write, or perform other daily tasks.⁴

Common Triggers

Stress and anxiety:

These are among the most frequently reported triggers for HAE attacks. Some people report the stress of worrying about an attack can actually trigger one.^6-8

Medical or dental procedures:

Surgeries and dental work—even if minor—have the potential to trigger attacks. Always inform your doctors, dentists, and surgeons that you have HAE before undergoing any procedure, no matter how minor.^6,7

Physical activities:

Physical pressure or injury can often provoke swelling. This can be from minor injuries or physical exertion, or can develop spontaneously.^1,4

Hormonal changes:

Some people find their attacks are influenced by hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during puberty, menstrual cycles, or pregnancy.⁷

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References:

Ghazi A, Grant JA. Hereditary angioedema: epidemiology, management, and role of icatibant. Biologics. 2013;7:103-113. doi:10.2147/BTT.S27566
Bork K, Anderson JT, Caballero T, et al. Assessment and management of disease burden and quality of life in patients with hereditary angioedema: a consensus report. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2021;17(1):40. doi:10.1186/s13223-021-00537-2
Staller K, Lembo A, Banerji A, Bernstein JA, Shah ED, Riedl MA. Consider hereditary angioedema in the differential diagnosis for unexplained recurring abdominal pain. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2022;56(9):740-747. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001744
De Maat S, Hofman ZLM, Maas C. Hereditary angioedema: the plasma contact system out of control. J Thromb Haemost. 2018;16(9):1674-1685. doi:10.1111/jth.14209
Camyar A, Bulut G, Ozisik M, et al. Genital attacks in hereditary angioedema and their effects on sexual life. Medicina. 2024;60(11):1777. doi:10.3390/medicina60111777
Zuraw BL. Clinical practice. Hereditary angioedema. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(10):1027-1036. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp0803977
Busse PJ, Christiansen SC, Riedl MA, et al. US HAEA Medical Advisory Board 2020 guidelines for the Management of Hereditary Angioedema. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(1):132-150.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2020.08.046
Lumry WR, Settipane RA. Hereditary angioedema: epidemiology and burden of disease. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2020;41(Suppl 1):S08-S13. doi:10.2500/aap.2020.41.200050

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice. For all healthcare decisions, talk with your healthcare team.