What Causes Face Swelling?

Face swelling is puffiness induced by facial tissue inflammation. A puffy face, also known as facial edema, is caused by an excessively high collection of fluid in your face, which happens just under the skin within your tissues. Facial swelling is most noticeable on the eyelids, cheeks, and lips, and usually goes away within a few hours, but it can spread to your neck and throat in certain cases.

Facial edema is usually caused by something in particular, such as drugs, illnesses, or trauma, among other things. You shouldn’t be concerned until your puffy face lasts longer than a day or is accompanied by severe discomfort and/or difficulty breathing. Most of the time, rehydrating, icing the affected area, and sleeping will help to minimize swelling.

Symptoms of Face Swelling

Depending on the underlying disease, sickness, or condition, face swelling may be accompanied by other symptoms. Swelling around the cheeks and eyes, for example, might be an indication of sinusitis, which is commonly accompanied by pain and congestion.

Other symptoms that may accompany face edema include:

• Pain or redness in the eyes
• Pain in the face
• Fatigue\Fever
• Headache
• Sores on the skin or pus-filled lumps
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Chewing or swallowing pain
• Swelling around one or both ears that is painful

Life-Threatening Symptoms of Edema

In some circumstances, face swelling can suggest a serious or life-threatening disorder that should be evaluated quickly. Seek emergency medical attention if you or someone you’re with exhibits any of the following life-threatening symptoms:

• Coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing
• Following a head injury, the face swells.
• You have a tight feeling in your throat.
• Fever with red and sensitive skin
• Generalized edema (swelling)
• Intense distress
• Hives or rash
• Itching in the throat or mouth
• Pale or blue coloring (cyanosis)
• Protruding or bulging eye or eyes (proptosis) accompanied by redness, fever, and pain
• Swelling that is sudden or severe

Causes of Facial Swelling

Infections and allergic responses are two prominent causes of face edema. In most cases, an infection will result in asymmetric face edema. The information below may help you better understand your symptoms and determine whether or not you should contact a doctor.

Infectious Agents

The following infectious reasons of a swollen face may exist.

Mouth Infection

Facial edema can be caused by infections in the teeth, gums, or behind the tonsils. Swelling from an infection in one of these places will often occur on one side.

Skin Infection

Infection of the skin on the face can result in redness and edema. This form of illness can affect one or both sides of the face.

Eye Infection

Bacterial or viral eye infections can cause swelling of one or both eyelids, as well as the area of the face around the eyes.

Infection of a Salivary Gland

An infection of one of the glands that produce saliva can also cause swelling, most commonly in the lower half of the face. Swelling will occur on one side of an infected gland.

Allergic Causes

Your face may enlarge as a result of allergies that you may or may not be aware of. Such allergies include:

Food Allergies

Allergic reactions to food can include swelling of the cheeks, lips, or tongue. Hives, wheezing, or respiratory discomfort, as well as vomiting or diarrhea, may occur as a result of the reaction. Seek emergency medical assistance if you suspect an allergic reaction.

Environmental Allergies

Allergic reactions to pollen, dust, or other environmental causes can produce facial puffiness, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. These allergies are typically not fatal, however, if you are having difficulty breathing, you should seek emergency medical treatment.

Medication Allergy

Allergic responses to drugs can cause facial, lip, or tongue swelling. Hives, wheezing, respiratory discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea may also occur as a result of the reaction. People who have been taking drugs for a long period may develop allergic reactions to them. If you suspect an allergic response, get emergency medical treatment.

Other Causes of Face Swelling

The following are some of the other possible reasons of face edema.

• Pregnancy: Edema is frequent throughout pregnancy. Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, and legs is common in pregnant women.
• Dehydration: If you are severely dehydrated, your facial tissues may hold water, resulting in swelling or puffiness.
• Trauma: Facial edema can occur as a result of an injury or trauma, such as a facial burn or other trauma, oral surgery and facial surgery
• Medical condition: Some medical problems, notably hormonal imbalances, can induce facial edema. Fatigue, heat intolerance, dry skin, weight gain, and constipation are some other possible symptoms.
• Inflammation: Inflammation and swelling can result from trauma to the face or head. In addition, inadequate sleep or excessive alcohol use can cause the face to appear puffy or swollen.
• Non-life-threatening allergies: When the body comes into contact with a potentially hazardous material, it responds with inflammation and swelling, which can be protective. Many people’s bodies react in this way to substances that aren’t ordinarily hazardous, such as food or pollen. This is the basis for allergies, also known as Type 1 Hypersensitivity.
• Stone in the salivary duct (sialolithiasis): The most frequent salivary gland problem is a salivary duct stone. They can range in size from microscopic particles to stones several centimeters long. It can induce one-sided facial swelling, swollen jaw, painful face swelling, sudden jaw pain, and painful jaw swelling.
• Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin’s deep layers. It can appear anywhere on the body, although the feet, lower legs, and face are the most commonly affected. Staphylococcus germs can enter broken skin through a cut, scrape, or an existing skin illness such as impetigo or dermatitis. Those with a weakened immune system, such as from corticosteroids or chemotherapy, or poor circulation from diabetes or any vascular illness, are most vulnerable.

How to Treat Facial Swelling

The easiest technique to minimize puffy skin on the face is to determine what is causing the edema. For example, if your cheek is puffy because you were stung by a bee, you would remove the stinger immediately and apply ice; alternatively, if your throat is swollen due to a moderate allergic response, antihistamines, either over-the-counter or prescribed, will help with your discomfort. If your facial swelling is accompanied by trouble breathing, a significant drop in blood pressure, a quick pulse, dizziness, or lightheadedness, seek medical assistance right away.
If your symptoms are bearable and you are not in pain, you can minimize the swelling in your face at home by doing the following:

• Using a hydrocortisone cream that is available over the counter
• Using a cold compress
• Sleeping on your back with your head propped up
• Putting ice on the affected area
• Hydrating
• Stay away from alcoholic beverages and salty foods.

Complications of Facial Swelling

Facial edema complications can be gradual and vary depending on the underlying cause. Because face swelling can be caused by serious disorders, delaying treatment can lead to complications and permanent damage. When you have swelling or other strange symptoms, it is critical that you see your doctor. Following your doctor’s treatment plan after the underlying reason has been identified can reduce your risk of potential complications of certain disorders, such as:

• Breathing difficulties or respiratory arrest as a result of anaphylactic shock
• Skin or other tissue removal, for example, as a result of a significant infection or malignant condition
• Loss of eyesight as a result of orbital cellulitis
• Infection spread to various regions of the body, including the blood

Now that you Know…

Facial edema can be caused by a variety of factors, including traumas, infections, and allergic reactions. While some causes are minor and easily treated, others can be life-threatening and necessitate emergency medical attention. Consult a doctor if your facial swelling lasts more than a few days or happens in conjunction with other symptoms. Seek emergency medical treatment if you are experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a low pulse, confusion, or slurred speech.