Swollen face – causes, treatment and prevention

Swollen face

If a swollen face occurs, this causes a great shock for many people. There is also a feeling of shame. Due to the other symptoms such as pain, tingling or increased sensitivity to pressure, the swelling is usually very uncomfortable and stressful.

What is swollen face?

A swollen face is manifested by an unnatural swelling in the face that is not due to weight gain . In general, swelling is fluid retention that occurs in the intercellular spaces of tissues. These are called edema . Swelling of the face often affects the eyelids, mouth, throat and areas around the ears.

In some cases, there is rapid swelling of the face, which can be accompanied by respiratory problems . This condition is sometimes acutely life-threatening. Therefore, a doctor should be called or consulted immediately. In other cases, a swollen face develops very slowly but is persistent.

There are many causes, but it is often an allergy. Various diseases can also lead to a swollen face. But there are also comparatively harmless reasons. As a precaution, a doctor should be consulted in order to be able to rule out diseases. This is especially true if a swollen face lasts for a long time or sudden discomfort occurs.

causes

The causes of a swollen face can be very diverse. The accumulation of water, for example, is often the result of a disturbed lymph flow. In the case of kidney disease, for example, these are the typical “doughy” edemas that are visible under the eyes . Many internal diseases are also associated with facial swelling. The same applies to alcohol and drug abuse. When there is a lack of sleep , there is sometimes a disruption in the flow of the lymph, so that the excess water collects in the lower eyelids.

This is one of the harmless causes of swollen face. Furthermore, facial swelling is very common with bad teeth, diseases in the jaw area and after dental procedures. This is usually one-sided. Acute allergic reactions , lack of sleep , migraine attacks, and trigeminal neuralgia can also cause facial swelling. Sudden swelling that can even cause shortness of breath is dangerouscause. The reason for this can be, for example, allergic reactions or infections in the ear, nose and throat area, for example mumps or tonsillitis. Chronic causes of swollen face include heart failure, kidney, thyroid, or parathyroid disease.

Diseases

When to the doctor?

A swollen face is not necessarily a reason to see your doctor. If the swelling can be traced back to an intolerance that is already known, the patient usually knows for himself when and how the swelling will subside. Even if it is a consequence of taking certain medications, such as cortisone or various psychotropic drugs, the doctor does not necessarily have to be involved.

However, if there is no knowledge of specific allergies that could serve as a trigger, it is advisable to seek a medical opinion. In the worst case, allergies that cause swelling can also affect the respiratory organs. But even in the case of various side effects, you should not go without a doctor’s visit. For example, if pain occurs or accompanying symptoms such as dizziness or nausea, then there may be more serious illnesses that should be treated medically immediately.

It usually makes sense to cool a swelling and wait to see whether it goes down. If the face continues to swell despite cooling or is still swollen after a while, it makes sense to seek medical advice.

diagnosis and course

To determine the causes of a swollen face, the doctor will first look at the accompanying symptoms. In this way, the trigger can often already be identified. This applies, for example, to the formation of abscesses during dental diseases or treatments. In the case of infections, the diagnosis is secured by laboratory tests for the pathogens. When anaphylactic shock occurs due to allergy, the challenge is to identify the appropriate triggering allergen.

Chronic swelling often requires doctors to use many diagnostic tools to determine the cause of facial swelling, including medical history , laboratory tests, and imaging tests. Insect bites as well as contact and food allergies can also cause facial swelling, which a doctor can detect with appropriate further examinations.

The course of facial swelling depends on the cause. While a swollen face associated with tooth and jaw disease gradually disappears after treatment, other patients may experience permanent facial swelling, for example with diseases of the liver , kidneys, thyroid gland or heart. Here the causes must be treated in a targeted manner, but there is not always an improvement in sight. Especially in kidney diseases, edema under the eyes (water retention) is characteristic and chronic.

complications

A swollen face, for example, is typically caused by an allergic reaction. Some people can even develop Quincke’s edema , swelling down to the deep layers of the skin. Hands, feet, and genitals can also swell. The swelling can constrict the airways, the affected person can hardly breathe and threatens to suffocate. The esophagus can also be affected, leading to difficulty swallowing. The allergic reaction can lead to anaphylactic shock, which if left untreated can lead to multiple organ failure.

Mumps can also lead to some serious late complications. There is a 20 percent chance that men’s testicles will also become inflamed. If left untreated, this can lead to infertility (infertility) . Inflammation of the meninges (meningitis) is also common. Rarely, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or inner ear hearing loss can also be observed.

In the worst cases, inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) can spread systemically and thus lead to sepsis, which must be treated immediately. In addition, the heart or kidneys can become inflamed as a late complication. This can result in heart failure (heart failure) or kidney failure (kidney failure). Cardiac inflammation also occurs as part of a rheumatic fever, which can develop as a late consequence of tonsillitis. In addition to the heart, the central nervous system in particular is also affected.

treatment and therapy

Treatment for a swollen face depends on the underlying cause. For example, after tooth extractions or other jaw treatments, cold pads can bring good relief and reduce facial swelling. An ice cube can be wrapped in a towel and then placed on the swollen area of ​​the face. The duration should be a maximum of ten minutes, and the application can be repeated four to five times a day.

Pronounced dental infections are treated with antibiotics . Sometimes surgery is also required. In the case of an acute allergy, antihistamines and decongestants are used. These are either injected or administered in the form of tablets. If you have a sinus infection, medication is prescribed to combat it so that mucus can drain again. A paste of sandalwood and turmeric can also be placed on the swollen face for 30 minutes for a soothing effect.

Headaches , migraines and trigeminal neuralgia also often cause a swollen face. After the end of the pain attacks, the swelling that has occurred usually disappears very quickly. While those affected could hardly be helped a few decades ago, modern and highly effective painkillers and treatment preparations are now available. If a drug is the cause of a swollen face, it must be discontinued.

outlook and prognosis

Unfortunately, a general prognosis cannot be given for a swollen face, since the further course of this complaint depends very much on the cause. If the face is swollen due to a cold or flu , there is usually a positive course of the disease and the swelling then disappears again when the disease has been overcome. It is not uncommon for allergic reactions or food intolerances to lead to a swollen face. The swelling also disappears on its own and there are no further complaints. In the case of mumps, further treatment is necessary to eliminate the swelling on the face.

In severe cases, a tumor or kidney failure can also lead to facial swelling. Comprehensive treatment is necessary. As a rule, however, those affected also suffer from other severe pain and symptoms in these cases. However, a swollen face usually leads to a positive course of the disease and the swelling disappears. Even after an accident or a blow to the face, swelling can be prevented by cooling.

prevention

There are no specific recommendations for preventing a swollen face due to the many possible causes. In general, a healthy lifestyle strengthens the immune system . This, in turn, reduces the risk of infectious diseases. It is advisable to reduce the salt in the diet. The sodium it contains can increase the risk of fluid buildup under the skin.

Furthermore, it is advisable to use additional pillows when sleeping in order to be in an elevated position. This minimizes the risk of facial swelling caused by edema. This prevents fluid from accumulating under the skin. In order to prevent abscesses caused by various dental diseases, it is important to have regular dental examinations by a dentist. This also helps to prevent cavities and gingivitis and thus facial swelling as well. In the case of facial swelling resulting from an allergy, the allergen must be avoided. Allergy sufferers are also treated by dermatologists and allergists using desensitization.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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