Sudden unexplained swelling, hands, feet, lip, wrists

Oddly enough, I have the same exact symptoms as bntgarrett as well as some others on these posts.  Mine started with waking up one morning and looking like Rocky Balboa.  Above my right eye was swollen so bad that it looked like my husband punched me.  It didn't hurt, but it was very embarrassing trying to explain it to everyone.  It was gone by the end of the day.  Over time, it would be the left eye, then my right upper lip, then my left lower lip, right eye again, then my one foot, then the other, my wrist.  Today it was the right side of my tongue!!!  What is this??????  I'm getting a little freaked out, but at the same time, I'm secretly comforted by the fact that there are more of us out there.  Haha!!  

Last spring I began to have your same symptoms. Went to many doctors and allergists. To cut to the chase, everyone having these symptoms should be tested for Alpha Gal. This is a allergy to all mammal meat and by-products, caused by being bitten by the loan star tic. It is hard to identify because the symptoms come on multiple hours and even up to a day after eat mammal product. Your doctor will be able to diagnose with a simple blood test. It is tough to avoid all mammal by-products because it is hidden in so many foods such as over the counter breads that have meat conditioners added to keep bread fresh.

Last spring I began to have your same symptoms. Went to many doctors and allergists. To cut to the chase, everyone having these symptoms should be tested for Alpha Gal. This is a allergy to all mammal meat and by-products, caused by being bitten by the loan star tic. It is hard to identify because the symptoms come on multiple hours and even up to a day after eat mammal product. Your doctor will be able to diagnose with a simple blood test. It is tough to avoid all mammal by-products because it is hidden in so many foods such as over the counter breads that have meat conditioners added to keep bread fresh.

I know this is a pretty old thread, but I just wanted to reiterate that one possible cause for unexplained and painful swelling is Hereditary Angioedema. Episodes can be caused by trauma, immune reactions (to allergens or viruses, etc), cold, heat, stress and other triggers- which makes it pretty tricky to try to pin down a cause by tracking your habits. In some it is accompanied by a blotchy rash, either at the site of the swell or all over. It often manifests for the first time in childhood or adolescence, but can easily be asymptomatic until adulthood. HAE is quite rare, but can be life threatening and is worth ruling out if you have repeated unexplained swelling.

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I am soo glad to see this thread!  I've been having these strange swelling sites for the last couple of months, and now I know I'm not alone!

My symptoms are a strange itching/painful spot followed by slight burning feeling then a sudden swelling.  So far has occurred around my mouth, eyes, and left wrist.  Only one spot at a time, and only lasts several hours.

I hope I find an answer

i have the same probl , one side of my tongue , one hand , face. Bittom of my feet and genitals. I found the problem is with my teeth , abis under good teeth. I hope this will help I understand how embarrassing this can be

I have the same thing it happened when I actually do more work/standing than usual and my blood prpressure will be like 150/97 and higher I went to neurological doctor and he ask me to do MRI

Did anyone here discover the causes? Mine began recently with itching on my hands then feet. Swelling of the digits on my fingers. Then my right side of my face swelled up along with my lips. It then moved to my bottom lip and then my top lip. My hands r red and sensitive to touch!!

I have also suffered with chronic uticaria and angioedema for 3 1/2 years now. No rhyme or reason for it - a few times I thought I was close to figuring it out, had all my mercury fillings removed, avoided peppers of all kinds, stopped using dryer sheets, stopped drinking, stopped eating processed foods, etc. All to no avail. All tests have ruled out all the big things, including HAE. I know I'm allergic to metal and sulpha based medications. I just had a good 7 month run with no symptoms, but I have been on 2 clariton a day and 2 zyrtec at night for well over a year now, then 4 weeks ago the giant hives started again, with spots coming and going daily, ending up with full blown angioedema in my lips and cheeks, so ended up back on prednisone. One thing I have figured out is that it is caused by delayed pressure, so if I sleep with my face on my arm, I'm likely to wake up with a fat lip. But this isn't always the case - sometimes I can sleep on my arm and have no symptoms - it seems to be related to my level of inflammation at the time. So I always tie my shoe laces loosely, wear loose clothing, don't touch my face, don't sit on hard surfaces, don't stand or walk too long, etc. I'm wondering if I live in a "sick" house with mold or something, but I doubt it - even happens when I'm travelling out of town. I don't believe it is caused by stress, but stress does seem to make it worse. I've been told that menopause can be a culprit, but I'm not convinced of that either since many men have written in with the exact same symptoms. But I would like to see if this could be a vitamin or mineral deficiency. I know I have been diagnosed with anemia and b-12 deficiencies in the past. I also have IBS, so maybe it's one of those things - I wish the doctors would figure it out because this is really a miserable thing - especially to have your face disfigured!

Hi, so happy to see this!! I have been suffering with this for 40 years!! Starting in my 20s with lips, adding the heel thing in my 30s and face hands and mouth soon after. Years can go by and I am symptom free, but when it comes back it is always stronger. I have asked many Drs but never had a straight answer. I think it is auto immune. It is the worst!!!! I could go on and on. Are you still follow this?? Can we chat??? Janice

my son is 4 now he was allegic to highaltitude and xcold weather hw alwazhas dry cough his lungs are also week when ever he plays jumps and shout he starts continued dry cough aftr a year i come to know his ige level is high so he is allrgic to some thing bti dont kw what is that so i take all his ccare suddenly he got swelling on lips palms finders n in feet and it happens in every 4-5 days i was very worried n started searching here n there n started obseving what im giving him to eat after a month i stopped giving him milk and strated serching on net about his symptoms there i come to know these symptoms are of cow milk allergy and by all dairy products...i want to know is these some one else who has this same problm plz......rply

I am having the exact same symptoms! All of them! Did you ever find out what it was?

OK so the same thin is happening with me

It's comforting to know I'm not alone. For the last seven years, I've had occasional swelling in my lips, tongue and now hands, wrist and feet. It's happened at home and elsewhere. It always goes away in a day or two. I've been checked by two different allergists, who found nothing.

I had a few episodes in adolescence -- as did my brother -- but they say it's not hereditary angioedema. (I'm going to double-check that, though. My brother died suddenly at 42, allegedly of cardiac arrhythmia.)

Hello,
I have all of the same symptoms as both of you and have found that I might have a histamine intolerance. I have purchased a DAO (diamine oxidase) supplement which helps the body break down histamine. I have been taking the supplement when I feel the symptoms are coming on (1 to 2 pills) and it seems to knock it out quite quickly. I hope this will help anyone living with this annoying condition.