Facial swelling occurs when there is a fluid buildup in the facial tissues. It is also referred to as a puffy face or facial edema. A lot of people feel swelling in their face after they wake up.
However, facial swelling can also occur after surgery, injury, or because of an allergic reaction. It may even result in swelling of the neck or throat. Face swelling is usually painless. However, in some cases, people might experience sudden, painful swelling. If the face swelling lasts long, it is best to consult your doctor as early as possible.
What Is Causing My Face to Swell?
The following are some of the common reasons that cause the face to swell:
1. Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection common in people with a weak immune system. It results in pus formation and destroys skin tissues, causing swelling and inflammation.
2. Allergy
Allergic reactions to certain food items, medicines, or dust can also cause facial swelling around the eyes, lips, or face. Inflammation or swelling of body parts is a sign of the body's fighting mechanism against allergens.
3. Obesity
The face can often swell up due to obesity as extra fat builds on the face. It is also termed ‘moon face’.
4. Burn or Any Other Injury
Facial injuries, burns or bruises can also make your face look puffy as the blood flow increases towards the injured area.
5. Angioedema
According to research, angioedema is a skin condition that causes swelling underneath the skin. It usually happens due to an allergic reaction.
6. Thyroid Issues
The swollen or puffy face is one of the most common symptoms of thyroid disorders. According to research, prominent cheek swelling is a symptom of thyroid issues.
7. Pregnancy
It is also common to experience a puffy face during the early months of pregnancy.
Other causes of swollen face include blood transfusion reaction, malnutrition, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, etc.
What to Do if You Have Facial Swelling Due to an Allergic Reaction?
Allergic reactions to certain food items or medicines can also make your face swell up. The best solution for how to reduce a puffy face due to an allergic reaction is to use an ice pack or cold compresses on the affected area. However, if the swelling is severe and painful, you should immediately consult a doctor.
How to Reduce Swelling on Face After Sleeping
A lot of people wake up with a puffy face in the morning. It usually happens if you consume excess salty or sugary foods. Excess sodium consumption leads to water retention in the body that can make your face swell up while you sleep.
Stress, anxiety, sleeping in the wrong position, and insufficient sleep are also common causes of a puffy face in the morning. If you wonder how to reduce swelling on the face after sleeping, you can try the following home remedies.
1. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Dehydration results in water retention that can cause your face to swell up. Therefore, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and facial swelling.
2. Use Ice Packs or Cold Compresses
You can put ice packs or cold compresses on the swollen area. It will dilate the blood vessels and reduce swelling.
3. Reduce Sugar and Salt Consumption
Avoid having excess sugary or salty foods and processed foods to reduce facial swelling.
How to Reduce Swelling on Face After Surgery
Face swelling after facial surgery is a common phenomenon. It is called ‘postoperative edema’. Some of the most effective tips on how to remove face swelling after injury include using warm compresses and ice packs on the affected area.
You should also get plenty of rest after the surgery. Also, you should keep your chest elevated by using a pillow. It prevents the accumulation of fluid in facial tissues.
You might start experiencing face swelling 48 hours after your surgery. The swelling can get extreme till 72 hours after surgery, but it gradually reduces after 3-4 days. However, if you continue to have facial swelling for days after your surgery, you must consult your doctor, who might prescribe a few oral steroids.
How to Reduce Swelling on Face After Bruising
A facial bruise or injury can also cause swelling on the face as the blood flow increases towards the injured area. Here is how to reduce swelling on face after bruising.
1. Cold Compresses
Ice packs or cold compresses can relax your facial muscles and reduce swelling.
2. Rest
Take plenty of rest and allow your body to recover.
3. Elevate Your Face
You can keep an extra pillow under your head to reduce blood flow towards your face. It can reduce facial swelling.
How to Reduce Swelling on Face After an Injury
It is also common to experience face swelling after an injury on the face or body. Symptoms of injury include cuts, bruises, and broken injuries. If you have an internal injury, you might also experience seizures, blurry vision, or drowsiness.
You can treat face swelling due to an injury at home by pressing an ice pack or cold compress to your face. Use the ice pack on your face for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. However, if the swelling doesn't reduce, you can consult a doctor and take oral medicine.
If you have facial swelling due to a severe injury on your head or a broken nose, or a concussion, you should immediately consult your doctor for treatment.
Tips for Prevention
If you experience face swelling frequently, here are a few tips on how to get rid of swelling on the face:
1. Avoid Allergy-Causing Foods
As allergy reactions are one of the most common causes of facial swelling, you should avoid eating food items that can cause allergies.
2. Maintain Oral Hygiene
Swelling in gums or a dental infection can also make your face look puffy. Therefore, it is best to adopt oral hygiene practices like flossing your teeth, brushing twice a day, using mouthwash, and reducing sugar intake.
3. Balanced Diet
Ensure that you have a balanced diet. It protects your body from infections and can prevent swelling. A nutritious diet can also help maintain thyroid hormone levels that will prevent facial swelling.
4. Facial Exercises
You can also try a few facial exercises or facial yoga to prevent facial swelling.
Summing Up
Face swelling occurs when fluid accumulates in the facial tissues. It can happen due to several reasons like hyperthyroidism, allergic reactions to some food or medicine, medical conditions like cellulite, conjunctivitis and sinusitis, facial injury, or bruises.
There are a few natural ways on how to reduce swelling on the face. It includes using a cold press or ice pack on the swollen area. You can also try a few facial exercises to distribute accumulated fluid in the facial tissues.
However, if you get sudden and severe facial swelling, you should immediately consult your doctor. They might suggest a few topical creams or oral medicines.
FAQs
Why Is My Face Swollen in the Morning?
You can wake up with a swollen or puffy face in the morning due to various reasons. Often, fluid gets accumulated in facial tissues overnight, leading to a swollen face in the morning. Other causes include allergic reactions, side effects of medicines, hyperthyroidism, conjunctivitis, and sinusitis.
Can a Swollen Face Be a Sign of Pregnancy?
Yes, swollen face or edema is common during the earlier months of pregnancy. However, excessive swelling of the face or body can be a symptom of preeclampsia. It occurs due to high blood pressure or a high amount of protein in the urine.
You should consult your doctor immediately if you have severe facial swelling during pregnancy.
References
- Michael Kazim, December 2006; Prominent premalar and cheek swelling: a sign of thyroid-associated orbitopathy - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17117102/
- NHS, Angioedema - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/angioedema/
