Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia

BACK
TO
TOP
 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Facial swelling

Puffy face; Swelling of the face; Moon face; Facial edema

 

Facial swelling is the buildup of fluid in the tissues of the face. Swelling may also affect the neck and upper arms.

Considerations

 

If the facial swelling is mild, it may be hard to detect. Let the health care provider know the following:

  • Pain, and where it hurts
  • How long the swelling has lasted
  • What makes it better or worse
  • If you have other symptoms

 

Causes

 

Causes may include:

  • Allergic reaction ( allergic rhinitis , hay fever, or a bee sting )
  • Angioedema
  • Blood transfusion reaction
  • Cellulitis
  • Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye)
  • Drug reactions, including those due to aspirin, penicillin, sulfa, glucocorticoids, and others
  • Head, nose, or jaw surgery
  • Injury or trauma to the face (such as a burn)
  • Malnutrition (when severe)
  • Obesity
  • Salivary gland disorders
  • Sinusitis
  • Stye with swelling around the infected eye
  • Tooth abscess

 

Home Care

 

Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling from an injury. Raise the head of the bed (or use extra pillows) to help reduce facial swelling.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your health care provider if you have:

  • Sudden, painful, or severe facial swelling
  • Facial swelling that lasts a while, particularly if it is getting worse over time
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Fever, tenderness, or redness, which suggests infection

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

Emergency treatment is needed if facial swelling is caused by burns or if you have breathing problems.

The health care provider will ask about your medical and personal history. This helps determine treatment or if any medical tests are needed. Questions may include:

  • How long has the facial swelling lasted?
  • When did it begin?
  • What makes it worse?
  • What makes it better?
  • Have you come into contact with something you might be allergic to?
  • What medicines are you taking?
  • Did you recently injure your face?
  • Did you have a medical test or surgery recently?
  • What other symptoms do you have? For example: facial pain , sneezing, difficulty breathing , hives or rash , eye redness , fever .

 

 

Open References

References

Amsterdam JT. Oral medicine. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 70.

Habif TP. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2009:chap 6.

Pfaff JA, Moore GP. Otolaryngology. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 72.

Sharma R, Brunette DD. Ophthalmology. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 71.

 
  • Edema, central on the face

    Edema, central on the face - illustration

    This person has noticeable swelling (edema) of the face.

    Edema, central on the face

    illustration

    • Edema, central on the face

      Edema, central on the face - illustration

      This person has noticeable swelling (edema) of the face.

      Edema, central on the face

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Facial swelling

         
           

          Review Date: 1/31/2015

          Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

          The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

           
           
           

           

           

          A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



          Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.