Facial swelling

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Edema, central on the face

Overview

Treatment

Facial swelling

Definition:

Facial swelling involves an accumulation of fluid in the face, which may extend to the neck and upper arms.

Alternative Names:

Puffy face; Swelling of the face; Moon face; Facial edema

Considerations:

If the facial swelling is mild, it may be hard to detect. To assist the health care provider in diagnosing the cause, it is important to note the following:

Whether there is pain
The duration of the swelling
What makes it better or worse
Any other symptoms that accompany the swelling

Common Causes:

Obesity
Allergic reaction (such as allergic rhinitis, hay fever, or a bee sting)
Conjunctivitis with swelling around the eye(s)
Stye with swelling around the infected eye
Malnutrition (when severe)
Sinusitis
Facial trauma or injury (such as burns)
Drugs including prolonged use or allergic reaction to aspirin, antipyretics, penicillin, sulfa, glucocorticoids, or other drugs
Blood transfusion reaction
Head, nose, or jaw surgery
Angioedema from any cause including reaction to contrast media from radiologic tests
Cellulitis
Tooth abscess

Review Date: 1/24/2005
Reviewed By: Thomas A. Owens, M.D., Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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