Facial Swelling: Banishing the Bloat

You can use cosmetics to hide a lot of skin conditions, but not facial swelling — a buildup of fluid that can affect the central face, eyes, mouth, forehead, cheeks, or chin, and spread to the neck and upper arms. Other than brushing it off as an accident — or if you're really tough, a bar fight — there's not much you can do to conceal your condition.

Fortunately, facial swelling is usually a mild and temporary nuisance that can be treated at home. But more severe swelling should be evaluated by a doctor, and some cases are true medical emergencies.

Symptoms associated with mild facial swelling include:

• Fever.
• Pain.
• Rash.
• Redness.
• Tenderness.

Symptoms associated with severe facial swelling include:

• Breathing difficulty.
• Lip swelling.
• Mouth or tongue swelling.
• Neck swelling.
• Swallowing difficulty.

The Causes of Facial Swelling

More than 250 causes of facial swelling have been identified. Some of the most common include:

• Allergic reactions.
• Angioedema.
• Blood transfusion reaction.
• Burns.
• Cellulitis.
• Conjunctivitis.
• Drug reactions.
• Injury.
• Malnutrition.
• Obesity.
• Sinusitis.
• Stye.
• Surgery.
• Tooth abscess.

Other causes include skin conditions such as sebaceous cysts, boils, carbuncles, acne, rosacea,seborrhea, and keloids; chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension; infectious diseases such as mumps; and dental infections.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Allergic reactions are a common cause of facial swelling. Hay fever — a reaction to allergens such as pollen, mold, and pet dander — often results in a puffy face. But some allergic reactions are more serious. If you develop swollen lips and eyes and a rash that looks like mosquito bites, you may have hives resulting from exposure to a bee sting, a drug, a food, or even a cosmetic product (hair dyes are notorious for causing severe reactions). If these symptoms are accompanied by breathing difficulty, or if the swelling becomes severe, you should call your doctor immediately or go to an emergency room.

You should also tell your doctor if you experience sudden, painful, or severe facial swelling; persistent or worsening swelling; or swelling accompanied by fever, tenderness, or redness (which could be a sign of infection).

Facial Swelling Prevention Strategies

You can prevent many infectious causes of facial swelling with regular face and hand washing, by dumping old cosmetics (which can become contaminated), and by completely removing makeup before bedtime.

You can prevent allergic reactions by avoiding allergens, drugs, cosmetics, and other substances that have previously provoked symptoms, and by getting appropriate treatment for allergies such as hay fever. If you're highly allergic to bee stings, a particular food, or some other substance, your doctor may advise carrying an EpiPen. This device contains injectable epinephrine and could save your life.

If you're overweight or obese, a sensible weight-loss program may help prevent facial swelling. A low-salt diet and moderate exercise are other ways to prevent or reduce fluid buildup.

Home Treatment of Facial Swelling

If you have mild or moderate facial swelling, home treatment depends on the cause, symptom, or type of swelling. Here are some tips for:

• Allergic swelling. Use an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl, or an antihistamine prescribed by your doctor.
• Facial edema (swelling of the central face). Massage warm mustard oil or apple cider vinegar into the affected area. Add ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil to your diet.
• Injuries. During the first few days, apply a cold compress for 20 to 30 minutes every one or two hours. During sleep, elevate your head by raising the head of the bed or using extra pillows.
• Pain. Apply a warm compress for 20 to 30 minutes every one or two hours. Use an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

Facial swelling is usually no cause for panic. With a little tender, loving home care — and appropriate medical treatment if needed — your swelling should quickly subside so you can once again put your best face forward.