Definition
The forehead, which starts above the eyes and is bordered by the hairline, can be swollen for various reasons. Since swelling of the forehead cannot be attributed to a specific cause, there is no uniform definition. In principle, swelling is an increase in volume of the tissue on the forehead, which is caused by an accumulation of fluid. Swelling is visible to the naked eye and is one of the classic signs of inflammation. Examples of fluid accumulation are bleeding, edema or cysts.
Cause
A swollen forehead can have many different causes, some of which are common and others rather rare. The accumulation of fluid in the forehead can have various causes, which can be narrowed down based on its origin and the accompanying symptoms. Bleeding in the context of an acute injury, i.e. a classic bump, is particularly common in children.
Since the injury is often internal and the bump also has a characteristic blue-red appearance, it is not difficult to find the cause in this case. The situation is different when a bloody bump without an injury is suddenly simply there. In this case, the cause is a so-called bleeding tendency, for example haemophilia or Von Willebrand syndrome.
Another disease of the haematopoietic system, such as blood cancer (leukemia), can also lead to haematomas and bumps that are not caused by a previous injury. Another cause of swelling in the forehead is edema. Oedema is caused by an accumulation of fluid in the tissue.
One cause of such edema is an allergy. Various allergies, for example to medication, can lead to such an edema. Accompanying itching, headaches or even breathing difficulties occur.
Further swellings in the area of the face are typical. Swelling of the forehead can also have an infectious cause. Frequently, sinusitis is responsible for a swollen forehead.
In addition, there is a feeling of pressure in the forehead and possibly other sinuses, headaches and other signs of infection such as fever. Finally, insect bites are a common cause of a swollen forehead. Pimples, which are called pustules in medical terminology, are small, superficial cavities of the skin filled with pus.
Pimples cause a swelling that is sometimes more and sometimes less large and empty their pus under pressure. They are sterile and can occur in anyone. A distinction must be made between the so-called comedones, which occur in acne.
These often affect the forehead and are also called pimples in common parlance. They form due to a cornification disorder of the skin and excessive sebum production of the sebaceous glands. As a result, small hair follicles become clogged and swelling develops.
Since the forehead, just like the shoulders and the V-shaped area of the chest and back, is one of the skin regions rich in sebum, it is particularly frequently affected. The therapy of acne includes various active ingredients that are applied locally or taken in the form of tablets. It depends on the degree of the complaints.
Another cause of a kind of swelling caused by a pimple on the forehead is a bacterial infection of the skin. Especially if a pimple is constantly manipulated, pathogens can enter the skin and thus lead to an infection. The swelling can then also be painful, overheated or reddened.
If you suspect such an infection, you should consult a doctor. Suspicious are especially pimples that do not disappear after 1 to 2 weeks, but only expand further. If general symptoms such as fever then appear, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
In this case it is necessary to open the swelling and remove the pus. This topic might also be of interest to you:
- Acne – This helps best
Allergies are common causes of swelling in the forehead. A wide variety of allergies can be considered as triggers for the swelling.
A possible cause is a medication allergy, but also food allergies or similar. Accompanying a so-called urticaria or even breathing difficulties can occur. Urticaria, also called hives, leads to tormenting itching and wheals all over the body.A slight general reaction, accompanied by nausea, headache and vomiting, is also possible.
In the worst case, the allergy can be accompanied by severe breathing difficulties. The swelling does not have to be limited to the forehead alone, but can also show on the eyelids, lips, chin and tongue. The swelling should subside after hours to days and should have completely disappeared.
In acute therapy, corticosteroids, antihistamines and possibly even adrenaline are used. If breathing is impaired, this is an emergency. For the future, it is advisable to avoid the triggering substance, for example a certain drug.
In order to find the trigger, allergy diagnostics are initiated. A sunburn is an acute inflammatory reaction of the skin to the UV rays contained in sunlight. Sometimes sunburn is also classified as a 1st to 2nd degree burn.
It typically begins with itching and pain. After several hours, swelling and redness appear. This is only limited to the area of the skin that is exposed to sunlight.
The forehead belongs to the so-called sun terraces of the skin. These are the areas of skin that are particularly exposed to sunlight. Therefore, swellings of the forehead after a sunburn are not uncommon.
This is accompanied by headaches and, in cases of severe sunburn, even fever. The swelling reaches its maximum after 12 to 24 hours and subsides after about a week. In the case of severe burns, blisters also occur.
In general, cooling compresses help against the swelling and alleviate the symptoms. Creams, lotions or gels containing corticosteroids (e.g. betamethasone) can also be applied to the swelling. Severe burns usually require additional therapy with painkillers such as diclofenac.
Rarely, an allergic reaction to ingredients of the color can occur after coloring the hair. Although the colorants go through extensive testing procedures to check their compatibility, allergic reactions cannot be ruled out. Therefore, it is recommended to test colors before applying them to the hair first to check for their incompatibility.
Instructions for this can be found on the manufacturer information of the colorants. Should an allergic reaction occur nevertheless, it is not uncommon for it to manifest itself in a painless swelling of the forehead or even the entire scalp. Swelling of the rest of the face is also possible.
In addition, the scalp may become weeping and itchy. It is recommended to consult a doctor immediately to treat the reaction with medication. Both antihistamines, such as Fenistil, and cortisone are commonly used drugs.
With insect bites, a distinction is made between so-called “direct bite reactions” and delayed allergic reactions. Both can lead to swelling of the forehead. The direct sting reaction, for example after a bee or wasp sting, leads to a small swelling around the sting, as well as redness and slight pain.
Local itching is also possible. The reduction of the swelling can take up to 5 days. Experience shows that cooling compresses help against the swelling.
Allergy sufferers sometimes suffer from massive swelling that can cover the entire forehead and other parts of the face. This can be accompanied by itching, nausea or even vomiting. Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, symptoms such as shortness of breath and circulatory arrest are also possible, which is why immediate action is necessary in the case of an insect venom allergy.
The therapy corresponds to the general procedure for an allergic reaction. People with a known insect venom allergy can receive an emergency kit for home use containing medication to treat the reaction. This topic might also be of interest to you:
- Insect bite – First aid and emergency measures
