Facial swelling and its causes. Facial swelling occurs when fluid builds up in the facial tissues. In most cases, this swelling takes place in the eye area and cheeks, but it could also spread to your neck and arm. This condition can be quite distressing and could be indicative of a medical problem that is serious. Facial swelling is caused by many reasons, and some of the facial swelling causes include angioedema, cellulitis, reaction to drugs, trauma and injury to the face, obesity, tooth abscesses, malnutrition, styes, and allergic reactions. In some cases, swelling could be due to external weather conditions such as humidity and temperature. It is possible to gauge the severity of the swelling by using your finger to press the swollen area. If your skin takes a long time to get back to normal then the swelling is more severe. Usually, for mild swelling, no special facial swelling treatment is required; it generally goes away with some amount of lifestyle change, dieting, and mild physical activity. In case it is moderate, you can try some home remedies to reduce the puffiness in your face. If the swelling persists, it becomes important to make a note of the following things to help your health care provider diagnose the cause of facial swelling and recommend appropriate facial swelling treatment
- You should make a note of any pain that you may experience and the areas that hurt.
- Also, it is important that figure out for how long this problem has been bothering you.
- Next, try to determine if there are any factors that increase or reduce the swelling. You could also note down whether the swelling is related to the time of the day.
- Finally, apart from the facial swelling, try to figure out if there are any other symptoms that you can identify that accompany the swelling.
Ways to reduce swelling on the face. Here are some tips on how to reduce swelling on your face and cheeks. These remedies help reduce facial swelling quickly and effectively, and before you know you will be able to reduce your face swelling to a considerable extent. If an injury has caused the swelling, make use of cold compresses to lessen the swelling. You could also sleep on extra pillows or elevate the head of your bed to reduce facial swelling. One of the more common home remedies to reduce swelling is minimizing your salt intake. Facial swelling, as mentioned earlier, is caused by fluid retention, and this sometimes happens because the kidneys retain salt. This could be due to heart conditions or some other conditions.
If you are wondering how to reduce swelling on your face, one surprisingly simple facial swelling remedy is one that makes use of coffee. You could also use 'water pills' or tea that also contains caffeine. However, care should be taken not to go overboard while using caffeine as a diuretic, and it is best that you consult your doctor before using it. Sometimes people may have facial swelling on one side, which is accompanied by pain. For this, take equal parts of turmeric and red sandalwood and apply it to the swollen area, taking care to avoid the eye area. Keep this on for about 15 minutes and then rinse using warm water. Follow this with some cold water rinse. This will help give you relief from the pain and the swelling.
If the facial swelling is due to some allergy you could use an antihistamine prescribed by your doctor or go in for one which you have purchased over-the-counter. For those suffering from facial edema; a condition where your central face swells, massaging apple cider vinegar or warm mustard oil on the affected areas helps. While doing this make sure you are careful about the areas around your eyes. You could also add some flaxseed oil or ground flaxseed to your diet.
Here's a tip to reduce facial swelling on your cheeks or cheekbones. It is always beneficial to identify the cheek swelling causes and then decide the course of treatment. Home remedies to reduce swelling during your pregnancy should be used with caution, and before trying any facial swelling remedies, you should consult your doctor to prevent any complications.
When is it time to seek medical attention? As mentioned earlier, facial swelling is sometimes caused by some allergic reactions.
In the case of hay fever, for example, you may very often have a puffy face. This happens because of your reaction to mold, pollen, and pet dander. Sometimes, swollen eyes and lips are accompanied with a rash similar to mosquito bites. This could be due to hives, or also could be a reaction to a food, drug, and a cosmetic product. If the swelling is accompanied by difficulty in breathing, or if the swelling worsens, it is best that you call your health care provider immediately or rush to the hospital's emergency room. It is important that you contact your doctor if the swelling is sudden, severe, or painful. Also, if your swelling worsens or persists you need to call your doctor. If the facial swelling is accompanied by tenderness, redness or fever, all which could be indications of infection, it is best that you consult your doctor.
The best thing you could do to prevent facial swelling is lead a lifestyle that is active and healthy. Very often it is found that people who are inactive have fluid build-up in their bodies, and this often results in swelling. Follow a daily routine that involves some amount of exercise that will help reduce puffiness of the face. Exercises such as jogging and walking are beneficial as they help pump fluids away from the face. Also, eating a well-balanced diet will help keep problems related to facial swelling at bay. As mentioned earlier, avoid a high-sodium diet and try to consume foods that help flush out toxins from the body. Facial swelling is generally not a cause for panic and with a little home care you can get back to normal. However, do keep in mind that any swelling that worsens or persists must get immediate medical attention.
answered by G M on Nov 16, 2010, 3:35:37