hello there,
yes, i too have been told it is an extreme allergic reaction. i am into a 6 day trial of allegria---which is helping if only slightly. i am so glad to find that i am not the only person in the world with this. i also suffer from cold uticaria, and had a severe bout of it which has led to the angiodema. i have had bad allergies all my life, but never like this. i am now doing as much as i can to clean up the allergins in my home---air cleaner, dustmite proof mattress covers etc. but it really only lightens the effect. benedryl has worked the very best, but is too difficult to work/drive or live on. an allergy test is the best way to go i guess. it really helps knowing i am not alone in this mess.