Angioedema is the swelling of the deeper layers of the skin, caused by a build-up of fluid. The symptoms can affect any part of the body, but the most common areas are the eyes, the lips, the genitals, the hands and feet. Although there are several types of angioedema it is caused in the majority of cases by an allergic reaction, and can sometimes be accompanied by anaphylaxis. Possible triggers include foods, such as nuts, food additives, for example MSG, insect bites and stings, and certain medications. The reaction generally occurs within an hour or two of exposure to the allergen.

I had first-hand experience of this condition last year, following a visit to an Indian restaurant in Sydney. I finished my meal there at about 3 p.m. and by 5 p.m. my face had started to itch. My eyes and face then began to swell and as the evening progressed the problem continued to get worse. I took a high dose of an Ayurvedic anti-allergy medicine but this had no effect, so as I was due to travel on the following morning I went to an all-night pharmacy in the early hours to see what they could offer me. I was given some strong antihistamine tablets – two every two hours – but this too proved ineffective. I noticed that my face was slowly turning black.

I took various creams and oils with me on my journey but these only seemed to make things worse, so I stopped using all the medications. A friend then gave me two creams to try – a neem cream and another German made cream – suggesting that I should compare their effect on either side of the face. Within 10 minutes I had considerable relief. The next morning the side where I had applied the German made cream was tight but the other side where I had used the neem cream was soft, so I decided to continue with the neem.

By this stage I had realised that the immune system was the problem so I made up a formulation to treat the immune system and inflammation. As I continued with this medicine over the next few days, coupled with plenty of rest, the problem slowly began to improve. I found that Pranayama breathing exercises were an irritation, as they over-sensitise the system – not a good idea in the case of an allergic reaction.

I thought it advisable to consult a doctor. He advised me to take prednisone and to use a titanium oxide cream, but he was unable to say for how long I should have to continue with these medications, so I decided just to persevere with my own medicine. Slowly, over time, everything began to settle down, but it took three months before I had total relief. Throughout this time medicines only gave occasional relief and the body often reacted badly to oils and creams; even when they were tolerated they darkened the skin. What had started as a swelling around the eyes and cheekbones spread to the neck. There were sensations of itching, burning and stinging and the skin cracked and oozed a watery secretion. Sensitivity to heat and light increased greatly.

The selected medicine to treat a problem of this kind will vary not only between one person and the next but also between races. In my own case I found Ashwagandha very beneficial, in combination with some other herbs, in as high a dose as possible, but as I improved I began to feel drowsy so reduced the dose accordingly.

Treating disorders of the immune system effectively can be a lengthy process, in which the silencing of symptoms plays no part. As always in Ayurvedic treatment an individualised approach is of paramount importance.

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