Introduction
Swelling causes fluid to accumulate in certain layers of the skin. The swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid is also called edema. There are several conditions in which fluid accumulation occurs in the tissues. Often, accompanying symptoms such as redness, pain and skin changes are crucial in identifying the cause of the swelling in the face.
Causes of facial swelling
Swelling of the face can be caused by many different acute, but also chronic diseases. In addition to skin diseases or allergic reactions, these include diseases such as hypothyroidism or inflammation of the kidneys. Another cause of swelling in the face can also be angioedema.
This is a sudden, painless edema of the eyelids, lips or even the tongue. The swelling can be caused by an allergic reaction, but also non-allergic, e.g. by taking certain medications. Allergens include, for example, food, pollen or animal hair.
The allergen, to which the body reacts sensitively by activating the immune system, causes the body to release the messenger substance histamine. Histamine increases the permeability of blood vessels, fluid can leak into the tissue and oedema occurs. Furthermore, an inflammation of the salivary glands can lead to facial swelling.
In children, the mumps virus is a possible cause of salivary gland inflammation, more precisely of the parotid gland. Only people who have not been vaccinated against mumps are affected. In addition, salivary stones in the excretory ducts can cause swelling, as saliva can no longer drain away and the saliva accumulates.
The affected salivary gland and the surrounding tissue in the face swell as a result, and inflammation can also occur. In the facial area, boils are also a typical cause of local swelling. This is an inflammation of the hair follicle, which is usually caused by bacteria.
It comes to a reddish, purulent and painful knot on the hair follicle. In the surrounding area, there may be a swelling on the face. Of course there are many other possible causes for the swelling in the face.
For example, erysipelas, which is an infection of the skin with streptococci, a tick bite or a herpes zoster. Furthermore, swelling of the face can occur after surgical interventions in the face and mouth area. However, if the swelling in the facial area occurs without previous dental treatment and together with toothache, it may be an inflammation in the tooth and jaw area.
Thus, an inflammation of the tooth root, but also of the jaw or the tooth nerve can be the cause. Besides, caries or defects of the teeth up to dead teeth are possible as a cause. In addition, redness or swollen lymph nodes in the neck area can also be the cause.
Since dental treatment and possibly the prescription of antibiotics is necessary in any case, a dentist should always be consulted. After treatment or surgery at the dentist, swelling of the surrounding tissue can be quite normal. It is important to leave the wound alone and cool the swelling if necessary.
In case of pain, painkillers such as ibuprofen can also be taken. Normally the swelling should go down by itself within a few days. If this is not the case or the swelling even worsens and there is also fever or severe pain, a doctor or dentist should be consulted.
Then it may be an inflammation of the wound, which should be treated further. It may be necessary to administer antibiotics in case of a bacterial infection. A slight swelling of the face may also occur in the case of a cold or sinusitis.
Usually, the sinusitis is preceded by a banal cold, in the course of which the mucous membrane of the sinuses swells, which can also become inflamed. The result is an increased accumulation of mucus in the sinuses. Characteristic is a pressing pain in the area of the sinuses, which increases with movement or bending the head forward.
In addition to nasal spray to open the nose, inhalation over a hot water bath and ibuprofen can also help with pain.Antibiotics are usually not useful, since sinusitis is mainly caused by viruses. As the inflammation subsides, the swelling of the face should also go down. If the swelling is severe or the eyelids are very swollen, it is important to see your doctor immediately.
In the area where the hair was used for hair transplantation and also in the surrounding facial area, swelling may occur for several days after the operation. This is not painful, but can be visually disturbing. After about a week, the swelling in the face should disappear by itself.
In addition, reddening of the skin on the hair transplants may occur, but this should disappear completely within a few weeks. Furthermore, a swelling is possible in the areas where injections for anesthetic of the skin were placed. This swelling may increase somewhat in the first days after the operation or move, but should also disappear within a week.
A blow to the head or face, or a fall on the face, can cause a bump or swelling on the face. The reason for this is the tearing of many small blood vessels. This leads to bleeding that accumulates under the skin, as the skin itself is usually still intact.
Swelling is caused by the bleeding as it displaces the surrounding tissue to the outside. As the bleeding progresses, the breakdown of the red blood cells causes a bluish discoloration of the swelling, which is also called bruising. Cooling the affected area can help against the pain.
Depending on the underlying cause, other symptoms accompanying the swelling in the face may occur. In the case of an allergy, in addition to the swelling on the face, rhinitis, sinusitis or watery eyes can also occur. An insect bite usually causes a slight swelling at the bite site as well as redness and overheating.
Itching around the bite is also a typical symptom. If an allergy to the insect venom (e.g. wasp venom) is present, the swelling can be more severe and also generalized. In the case of an inflammation of the salivary gland, in addition to the swelling of the affected gland, there is also a painful feeling of pressure.
If the parotid gland is affected, it can also cause jaw and muscle pain when chewing because of its close position to the jaw. Fever, redness and swollen lymph nodes in the neck are also often found as signs of inflammation. If it is a boil, in addition to the swelling on the hair follicle, there is usually a purulent secretion that empties from the boil and pain in the affected area. In summary, the symptoms often accompanying the swelling in the face are redness, overheating, pain and swelling of the lymph nodes, especially if it is an inflammation.
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