Hereditary Angioedema - ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather,
Sports  Hereditary Angioedema  Posted: Updated:  A local woman
is on a crusade to bring awareness to a dangerous disease that
chances are, you have never heard of.  Hereditary Angioedema.
 This is a rare and life threatening genetic condition that
could be mistaken by some folks as an allergic reaction.  But
,instead the danger is more than skin deep.  Let me first
introduce you to Hillary Schafer of Cullman.  She's telling her
family's story of hereditary angiodema or HAE for short.
Hillary and her mother live with disabling and painful
condition.  She says her teenage sister lost her battle to it--
eight years ago.  When I searched on the internet to see what
HAE looks like, I found these pictures.    Dr. James Boner  of
Alabama Allergy and Asthma says, it's episodic swelling caused
by an enzyme deficiency.    Boner says, "In this condition it's
not swelling with hives. It is almost never associated with
hives...most allergic reactions you migh