Facial swelling is a common, usually minor problem. Only when it becomes severe, prolonged, or impairs breathing or vision should you seek medical attention. In the meantime, you can learn how to manage facial swelling without getting medical attention. These are some of the common causes of facial swelling and more information on what to do if you have them.
causes of face swelling:
1. Allergies:
Allergies and reactions to medications can cause swelling of the face. In many cases, the facial swelling is temporary and goes away on its own. If you have an allergy to a medication, continue taking your usual doses or ask your doctor for the lowest dose that will still meet your needs.
2. Common colds:
A cold may make you feel run down or tired, which can also result in facial swelling. You may also feel bloated due to increased gas in your stomach as a result of this condition
3. Pregnancy:
During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause food intolerance and weight gain causing edema (fluid retention) in different parts of the body including face. The edema may affect your eyes, face or neck.
4. Ear, nose and throat conditions:
If your child has a cold or runny nose, he may develop a facial swelling due to sinusitis. Likewise, if you are suffering from the common cold or allergies and have pain in the nose and throat area accompanied by nasal congestion and facial swelling, then you may have allergic rhinitis. Allergic reactions can also affect the skin causing a rash with tingling and itching in cheeks and forehead.
5. Oral health problems:
Impacted wisdom tooth along with sinus problems can be another cause of facial swelling. Other oral health problems such as a cyst, gum disease and/or tooth infections may also cause swelling. Another common cause of facial swelling is an allergic reaction to a topical or injectable form of anesthesia. If you suspect that the swelling is caused by any oral health problem, a dentist needs to be consulted immediately.
6. Skin allergies:
Cuts on the skin along with infection can often lead to swelling of the face. A small cut on your face that you do not notice can lead to facial swelling due to an infection.
7. Allergic reactions:
If you have any allergies that swell your face, then you need to know how to manage swelling. For example, if you are allergic to bee stings, you will develop a swelling on your face and other parts of the body. The same is true for reactions from mold spores and pollen grains. If you suspect that the facial swelling is due to an allergic reaction, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin can be used to treat it. But it is important to check with your doctor first before taking any of these medicines since they can interfere with other medications that you may be taking.
8. Trauma:
A knock to your face from an object results in swelling. This is also true for a broken nose if not treated with care.
9. Injuries:
A fracture of the nose or cheek bones may result in facial swelling. A wound around the eye caused by a knife or shard of glass can cause facial swelling as well. If you have been hurt in an accident, seek immediate medical attention and let the doctor know about any specific facial swelling you are experiencing as well as any associated symptoms that you are having at this time (such as nausea, dizziness, light sensitivity). Try to keep the injury clean and moist.
10. Head injuries:
A knock to the head may result in swelling of the head and face, causing headaches, dizziness, and visual problems. If you suffer from a head injury, tell your doctor so that you can be placed on the correct type of treatment and follow up care plan.
11. Skull fracture:
Fractures above the eye socket may also cause a facial swelling in some people due to pressure around the eye.
12. Sinusitis:
Sinusitis involves inflammation or infection in one or both sinuses (the air passages that connect from inside your nose to your brain). Sinusitis can sometimes cause facial swelling due to a sinus infection.
13. Systemic diseases:
Some systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus may also cause swelling in facial area. In addition, inflammatory skin disorders such as acne and rosacea can also lead to facial swelling. If you have any systemic diseases, consult your doctor before taking any complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) treatments for any symptoms that you have along with the facial swelling.
14. Medication reactions:
A reaction to an antibiotic pill may cause severe swelling of the face especially around the eyes and cheeks. A reaction to a viral or bacterial infection can also cause facial swelling.
When to see a doctor?
If the swelling is accompanied by difficulty breathing, vomiting, fever, or signs of infection, you may want to go to the emergency room. Otherwise, call your doctor right away if:
· The swelling lasts longer than a few days or comes back after a few days when you thought it had gone away (this can be due to an underlying cause that needs treatment).
· You have facial swelling on one side only and have other symptoms such as pain in the jaw (TMJ), persistent headache or ringing in your ears.
· You have facial swelling and also have difficulty seeing or hearing.
· Any other unusual symptoms occur because these may signal more serious conditions like stroke.
· The swelling is accompanied by an unexplained weight loss.
· The facial swelling and pain are not relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers.
When to seek emergency medical care?
If the facial swelling is accompanied by a fever of over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting and weakness, then you need to see a doctor at the emergency room immediately since these may be signs of a stroke. Likewise, any facial swelling that is accompanied by yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) may also indicate jaundice due to liver failure.
facial swelling treatment:
1. Routine care for sinusitis, tooth infection or other facial swelling cause:
It is important that you do daily exercise to improve your immune system. You can improve the flow of blood and help in healing by increasing the intake of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. Here are some dietary changes that you can make to ensure you have a healthy diet:
· Only eat food that is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene. Vitamin C improves immunity while beta-carotene fights cancerous cells.
· Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. You can also increase the amount of plant based foods like beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grains to your diet.
· Reduce the intake of processed food since these contain preservatives that may lead to cancer.
· To increase minerals you should include more foods that are rich in iron and calcium such as dairy products and leafy vegetables.
2. Treating facial swelling due to injuries:
If you have a swelling caused by an injury then you should do the following:
- Apply ice packs to reduce inflammation.
- Apply a cold compress to the swelling for 20 minutes each day until the swelling decreases.
- Elevate your head if you have facial swelling that is not caused by a fracture.
3. Treating facial swelling due to head injuries:
If you have a mild or moderate facial swelling after an injury, try to follow these steps:
- Apply ice packs to reduce inflammation.
- Elevate your head (if possible) when resting in bed and when sleeping since it helps to relieve pressure on the brain and keep it from pressing against the skull (a condition called subdural hematoma).
4. Treating facial swelling due to sinusitis:
If you have facial swelling due to a sinus infection, then follow these steps:
- Get medicines that can help alleviate your symptoms.
- Elevate your head (if possible) when resting in bed and when sleeping.
5. Treating facial swelling caused by medications:
If you are taking certain medications such as antibiotics, diuretics, steroids or insulin, then you need to tell the doctor so that he/she can inform you about any side effects on your face. Physicians will also prescribe medicines that may help reduce swelling of the face and relieve discomfort associated with the medication.
6. Treating facial swelling due to systemic diseases:
If you have a facial swelling that is caused by a systemic disease, then follow these steps:
- Call your doctor immediately if your condition worsens. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking some medicines and may change other treatments as well.
- Medications can help reduce pain and inflammation in certain cases. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen for temporary relief.
7. Treating facial swelling due to inflammatory skin disorders such as acne and rosacea:
If you suffer from facial swelling due to inflammatory skin disorders such as acne or rosacea, then follow these steps:
- Seek a dermatologist's advice immediately if your condition worsens. Your doctor may advise you to treat your symptoms with other medicines specifically prescribed for inflammation of the skin.
- Use a lotion specially formulated for inflammatory skin disorders on the face. You may also try aloe vera gel or calamine lotions which help to dry out the affected area and reduce inflammation. Depending on your condition, steroid cream or antibiotics may also be prescribed.
8. Treating facial swelling caused by dental or jaw injury:
If you have facial swelling after a dental procedure, then try the following:
- Offer care as if you have an injury. This includes handling the swelling carefully and making sure your mouth remains open in case it becomes swollen.
- Use ice packs to reduce inflammation.
- Do not eat anything until your doctor advises you to do so. Your doctor may advise you to avoid certain food items like hard candy or ice cream which may cause the sinuses to get blocked up again (sinus headaches).
9. Treating facial swelling caused by tumors:
If you develop a facial swelling that is due to tumors, then follow these steps:
- Call your doctor immediately if your condition worsens. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking some medicines and may change other treatments as well.
- If the tumor is in an area that can be accessed, surgery can be performed to remove it. However, if the tumor is located near the brain or spinal cord then surgery is not recommended since vital body parts may be at risk of injury during surgery. In this case, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be prescribed instead.
- If medications are the best way to treat your condition, then follow the doctor's recommendation. You may need to take medication for a long period of time.
10. Treating facial swelling caused by infection that spreads to the face:
If you develop facial swelling that is caused by an infection such as staph or strep bacteria, then follow these steps:
- Call your doctor immediately if your condition worsens. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking some medicines and may change other treatments as well.
- Antibiotics can help get rid of the infection and prevent it from spreading to other areas of your body (such as the eyes). Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe one of the following antibiotics: amoxicillin, clindamycin, doxycycline or Augmentin.
- If you are allergic to penicillin, then doxycycline is an alternative. However, since this drug can cause an irregular heart rhythm or a severe sunburn-like reaction at the site of application in some people when it is used for extended periods of time, your doctor will closely monitor you during and after the treatment.
12. Treating facial swelling caused by eating disorders:
If you have facial swelling that is due to an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, then follow these steps:
- Stop all fast food, junk food, fried foods, hot dogs and carbonated drinks. These foods may cause your stomach to become swollen.
- Eat a nutritious diet consisting of fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages since they can prevent you from gaining weight too quickly. Your doctor may recommend that you take vitamin supplements if the swelling is severe enough (at least 4th degree burns) that results in a loss of more than 10% body tissue. Vitamin therapy can help your body recover from the damage caused by the burn and prevent infection. After administering the first round of treatment, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infections from occurring.
11. Treating facial swelling caused by insect bites or stings:
12 . Treating Facial Swelling after a Facial Plastic Surgery Procedure:
The best way to reduce swelling after a rhinoplasty surgery procedure is by applying ice packs on your face for about 20 minutes at a time, about 2-3 times per day for the first 3 days after you return home. You should not apply heat to your face after being treated with anesthesia because it can potentially cause further swelling.
If you have undergone a nose job procedure, it is essential for you to avoid sleeping on your back for the first few days after your surgery. This will help prevent air from getting trapped underneath the bandage.
You should also avoid bending down as much as possible. Why? Because this can also cause air from getting trapped under your bandages and may cause you to have an even bigger nose that you originally intended.
13 . Facial Swelling after a Facial Plastic Surgery Procedure:
If you have undergone a nose job procedure, it is essential for you to avoid sleeping on your back for the first few days after your surgery. This will help prevent air from getting trapped underneath the bandage.
You should also avoid bending down as much as possible. Why? Because this can also cause air from getting trapped under your bandages and may cause you to have an even bigger nose that you originally intended.
14 . Facial Swelling after Cosmetic Surgery:
A lot of people wonder if they can expect a huge difference in their appearance just because they underwent cosmetic surgery. The truth is that you should not expect to wake up with a different nose or different lips just because you had an operation. You should know that it takes about two weeks for the swelling to go down and help reveal the results of your surgery.
prevention:
1. Elevate your feet while sleeping. A good sleeping position will help prevent swelling and make it easier to breathe during the night. If you find that your weight is causing the bottom of your feet to become swollen, then buy a pair of sandals which are made specifically for people with flat feet so that you are always wearing them when you go out.
2. Avoid wearing high heels for a few days after surgery. Your doctor may tell you not to wear shoes with a heel or toe height higher than 2 inches for about 3-4 weeks after surgery because this can prolong pressure on the wound site and cause pain or discomfort. (If this happens, try switching high heels with low blocks).
3. Avoid smoking or exposing yourself to second-hand smoke. Smokers are more likely to develop asthma, which is a serious condition that causes the airways to swell and become inflamed. If you want to quit smoking, then don't hesitate to ask your doctor for help.
4. Try eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids since they can help reduce swelling under the eyes and also decrease the chances of developing allergies such as hay fever or asthma. Examples of foods with omega-3 fatty acids include: walnuts, flaxseed oil and cold water fish (salmon, tuna and mackerel).
5. Find out if you are allergic to anything (such as food products such as peanuts). If you are, then it's best to avoid eating these products.
6. If you have a cold, then definitely avoid giving yourself any kind of facial massage for about two weeks after having your surgery because this can cause swelling and result in an ugly look.
7. As far as your diet is concerned, try to eat a diet which is rich in protein and vegetables so that it helps with the healing process and reduces the likelihood of you getting infections or becoming ill.
8. Avoid drinking alcohol since alcohol can make matters worse by increasing the swelling under your eyes, while also increasing inflammation in your nose and sinuses which can further increase swelling (which may require further surgery).
