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

Home Care:

Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling from an injury. Raise the head of the bed (or use extra pillows) to help reduce facial swelling.

Call your health care provider if:

• There is acute, sudden, painful, or severe facial swelling.
• There is prolonged facial swelling, particularly if it is getting worse over time.
• There is any difficulty breathing.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

If facial swelling is caused by burns, or respiratory distress is present, emergency measures must be taken first. Then the medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting facial swelling in detail may include the following:

• How long has the facial swelling lasted?
• When did it begin?
• What makes it worse?
• What makes it better?
• What is your height and weight?
• How is your diet?
• Has there been exposure to something to which the person may be allergic (an antigen)?
• What medication are you taking?
• Have you had recent facial injury?
• Have you had a recent test or surgical procedure?
• What other symptoms are also present? Especially, is there:
  • Facial pain
  • Sneezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Hives or rash
  • Eye redness
  • Fever

Diagnostic tests will be determined by other accompanying symptoms and results of the physical examination.