Swelling of the face

introduction

Swelling causes fluid to accumulate in certain layers of the skin. The swelling caused by a build-up of fluid is also known as edema.
There are various diseases in which fluid accumulates in the tissue. Accompanying symptoms such as redness, pain and skin changes are often decisive in determining the cause of the swelling on the face.

Read more about this under: Swelling - what's behind it?

Causes of facial swelling

Many different acute and chronic diseases can cause swelling on the face. In addition to skin diseases or allergic reactions, this also includes diseases such as hypothyroidism or inflammation of the kidneys.
Angioedema can also be another cause of facial swelling. This results in sudden, painless edema of the eyelids, lips or even the tongue. The swelling can be caused by an allergic reaction, but also not allergic e.g. be triggered by taking certain medications. The allergens include, for example, food, pollen or animal hair. The allergen, against which the body reacts sensitively by activating the immune system, releases the messenger substance histamine in the body. Histamine increases the vascular permeability, fluid can leak into the tissue and edema occurs.

Furthermore, inflammation of the salivary glands can lead to facial swelling. In children, the mumps virus is a possible cause of inflammation of the salivary glands, more precisely of the parotid gland. However, only people who have not been vaccinated against mumps are affected. In addition, saliva stones can cause swelling in the excretory ducts, as the saliva can no longer drain and the saliva builds up. The affected salivary gland and the surrounding tissue on the face swell as a result, which can also lead to inflammation.

Boils in the facial area are also a typical cause of local swelling. It is an inflammation of the hair follicle, which is usually triggered by bacteria. A reddish, purulent and painful knot develops on the hair follicle. There may be swelling of the face in the surrounding area.
Of course, there are many other possible causes of facial swelling. For example the erysipelas, which is an infection of the skin with streptococci, a tick bite or herpes zoster.
Furthermore, swelling of the face can occur after surgery in the face and mouth area.

When does the swelling appear on the face?

Swelling of the face and toothache

However, should the swelling in the facial area occur without prior dental treatment and together with Toothache occur, it can be a Inflammation in the tooth and jaw area act.
So can a Inflammation of the root of the tooth, but also the jaw or the dental nerve may be the cause. Besides are Caries or defects of the teeth up to dead teeth possible cause. In addition, it can also become a Redness or swollen lymph nodes in the neck area come. Since dental treatment and possibly also the prescription of antibiotics is necessary in any case, a Dentist to be visited.

Swelling of the face after jaw surgery

After a treatment or surgery at the dentist's one swelling of the surrounding tissue should be quite normal.
It is important to leave the wound alone and to cool the swelling if necessary. In case of pain you can too Painkillerhow to take ibuprofen. Usually the swelling should go away on its own within a few days.
If this is not the case or if the swelling even worsens and there is also a fever or severe pain, a doctor or the treating person should Dentist to be visited. Then it may be an inflammation of the wound that should be treated further. Antibiotics may be necessary in the event of a bacterial infection.

Swelling of the face with a cold

Even with one cold or as part of a Sinus infection there may be a slight swelling of the face.
Usually it goes Sinus infection A common cold precedes, in the course of the swelling of the mucous membrane of the sinuses, which can also become inflamed. There is an increased accumulation of mucus in the sinuses. One is characteristic pressing pain in the sinus area, which increases with movement or bending of the head.
Next Nasal spray to open the nose, too Inhale above that hot water bath as well as ibuprofen help with pain. Antibiotics are usually not useful, as sinus infections are mainly caused by viruses. As the inflammation subsides, the swelling of the face should also decrease. Should it be a severe swelling act or are the eyelids severely swollen is an instant Visiting the doctor important.

Please also read our topic on this Symptoms of a cold

Swelling on the face after hair transplant

In the area where the hair is at Hair transplant and also in the area around the face, it can become a for a few days after the operation swelling come.
This is not painful, but can be visually disturbing.
After about a week, however, the swelling on the face should subside by itself. In addition, a Reddening of the skin occur on the hair transplants, but this should go away completely within a few weeks.
Furthermore is a Swelling in the places possible to whom Syringes for anesthesia the skin. This swelling can widen or wander a little in the first few days after the operation, but should also go away within a week.

Swelling on the face from violence

Through a Blow on the head or ins face, but also by falling on the face, it can lead to the formation of a bump or one S.swelling of the face come. The reason for this is the rupture of many small blood vessels. There is bleeding that collects under the skin because the skin itself is mostly still intact. The bleeding causes swelling to form as it pushes the surrounding tissue outwards. In the course of the breakdown of the red blood cells, the swelling becomes bluish, and that too bruise is called.
cooling the affected area can help relieve the pain.

Symptoms

Depending on the underlying cause, other accompanying symptoms to the swelling appear on the face.
At a allergy In addition to the swelling of the face, a runny nose, sinusitis or watery eyes can occur.
As part of a Insect bite there is usually one at the puncture site slight swelling as well as redness and overheating.

Also itching around the puncture site is a typical symptom. If there is an allergy to the insect venom (for example wasp venom), the swelling can be stronger and also generalized.

At a Inflammation of the salivary glands In addition to swelling of the affected gland, there is also tenderness to pressure. If the parotid gland is affected, it can also cause jaw and muscle pain when chewing due to its close proximity to the jaw. Often there are also fever, redness and swollen lymph nodes on the neck as signs of inflammation.
Is it a boil In addition to the swelling on the hair follicle, there is usually a purulent secretion that drains from the boil and pain in the affected area.

In summary are common accompanying symptoms swelling on the face Redness, overheat, Pain and Swelling of the lymph nodes, especially if it is an inflammation.

Diagnosis of swelling on the face

In order to assess the cause of the swelling on the face, a consultation with the patient is necessary. Important questions are whether the swelling came on suddenly or slowly, whether you had eaten a certain food beforehand, whether you were outdoors or surrounded yourself with certain animals. Another important question is whether allergies or neurodermatitis are known.
It should also be clarified whether there has been recent manipulation or surgery in the head or face area. After the conversation, if there is any indication of an allergy, an allergy test can further confirm the diagnosis of an allergy. Various allergens are applied to the skin, scratched and, after 20 minutes, an assessment is made as to whether there has been any significant swelling that indicates an allergy.

Read more on the topic: Allergy diagnostics

Furthermore, a precise clinical examination of the swelling and, in the case of additional toothache or jaw involvement, a dental examination or an inspection of the oral region are important.

Facial swelling therapy

Depending on the cause of the swelling on the face, it must be treated differently. In general, cooling can help with swelling. If there is additional pain, this can be treated with pain medication such as ibuprofen.
In the context of an allergy or angioedema, treatment with glucocorticoids such as prednisolone or a combination with an antihistamine is useful.
If there is severe swelling that reaches into the throat, i.e. the windpipe, or if the vocal cords / larynx are affected by the swelling, you should always be referred to the clinic. Swelling in this area can be life-threatening as it leads to shortness of breath and intubation may be necessary in order to be able to secure ventilation.
If strong allergy reactions are known, an allergy passport and appropriate medication should always be carried with you in an emergency.
If it is a boil, it is treated with a special ointment (boil ointment), antibiotics may also be necessary, as it is a bacterial inflammation. Early therapy is especially important for boils of the nose, as the complication here is the spread of bacteria via the blood vessels.

Read more about therapy here Angioedema.

Wandering swelling on the face

At a wandering swelling on the face that spreads over the face should be a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.
It should be next to one Erysipelas, also to one Herpes Zoster or one Tick ​​bite be thought.

At the Erysipelas it is an infection of the skin with streptococci. The infection usually begins at a small injury and spreads from it. In addition to swelling, there is a very limited reddening. There may also be pain, blistering, and fever. Immediate administration of antibiotics is indicated here. If the swelling persists, lymphatic drainage can also be considered.

An important differential diagnosis of facial serysipelas is one Herpes zoster Infection. In addition to a painful, burning swelling on the face, there is also one here Blistering. The vesicles typically spread along a nerve segment. An important distinction is that with herpes zoster there is no fever. Antivirals are given early in the case of herpes zoster, and moist compresses can also help.

Furthermore it can also after a Tick ​​bite a wandering swelling on the face. Ticks can transmit Borrelia via their saliva, which is a typical initial symptom Redness and swelling lead at the stitch point. This is also called Erythema migrans designated. One characteristic is red ringwhich spreads from the sting point and has a central fading. Erythema migrans can grow in size and appear to be migrating.

Should a tick bite be remembered in the face or head area, it should be from someone Doctor clarified whether it is an erythema migrans. Antibiotics are given to prevent the progression of the Borrelia infection.

Duration

Depending on root cause swelling on the face, it can last for different lengths of time. If there is swelling due to an allergy, this should be reduced Avoidance of the allergen subside and will not return either. If the allergen is dealt with again, however, swelling can occur again.