Facial Swelling: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, And More

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What Can Cause Facial Swelling or a Puffy Face?

Medically reviewed by Meera Patel, PA-C — Written by April Kahn — Updated on July 16, 2024

Allergic conjunctivitis
Preeclampsia
Cellulitis
Anaphylaxis
Angioedema
Actinomycosis
Broken nose
Eyelid stye
Sinusitis
Medical emergency
Treatment
Prevention
FAQ
Takeaway

Key takeaways

Facial swelling can be caused by various factors, such as allergic reactions, infections, or injuries. It can affect different areas of the face, including the eyes, cheeks, and throat.
Certain symptoms associated with facial swelling, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or dizziness, require immediate medical attention, as they may indicate a severe health condition.
Treatments for facial swelling vary depending on the cause, ranging from antibiotics for infections to emergency care for severe allergic reactions or other medical emergencies.

You may occasionally wake up with a swollen, puffy face due to pressure being placed on your face while sleeping.

However, facial swelling may also arise from injury or an underlying health condition that may require immediate medical treatment.

Facial swelling may affect any part of your face, including:

ears
neck
throat
eyes
cheeks
forehead

Keep reading to learn more about the possible causes of facial swelling.

Allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis is eye inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to substances, such as:

pet dander
dust
pollen
mold spores

It may cause symptoms like red, itchy, puffy, and watery eyes, as well as a burning or gritty sensation.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is when people who are pregnant suddenly develop high blood pressure (hypertension). It usually affects people after 20 weeks of being pregnant, but may occur earlier or after postpartum.

Symptoms may include swelling in your face, legs, and arms, as well as:

protein in the urine (proteinuria)
headache
blurry vision
abdominal pain
nausea and vomiting

If you’re pregnant and experience any of these symptoms, get immediate medical attention. If left untreated, preeclampsia may lead to life threatening complications, such as seizures, blood clots, and kidney failure.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection that affects the deep layers of your skin. It’s usually caused by bacteria or fungi entering through a crack or cut in the skin.

Cellulitis causes an area of skin to become swollen, hot, and painful. If it affects the eye, it may cause swelling, itchiness, and redness in the whites.

Get immediate medical attention if you experience any of the symptoms above, as well as fever, chills, and red streaking from the rash.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.

Common causes of anaphylaxis include:

food allergies, such as nuts, fish, wheat, eggs, cow’s milk, sesame, and wheat
medications, such as antibiotics
insect stings or bites
anesthetics
latex

Symptoms of anaphylactic shock may occur very quickly after exposure to an allergy. These may include:

swelling of the throat, face, and tongue
hives
difficulty breathing, wheezing, or coughing
rapid heart rate
fainting
dizziness
skin discoloration, such as blue, gray, or pale tongue

If you or someone you’re with experiences anaphylaxis, get immediate medical attention. If you have an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), use it immediately.

Angioedema

Angioedema is a form of severe swelling beneath the skin’s surface that most commonly affects the following:

eyes
tongue
lips
hands
feet
genitals

Swelling in these areas is sometimes also accompanied by hives.

Angioedema is usually caused by an allergic reaction to an allergen, such as food or medication. However, it may also be caused by infection or immune dysfunction.

Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic type of bacterial infection that most commonly affects your:

head
mouth
neck
chest
pelvis

It causes sores, or abscesses, in the body’s soft tissues. These may grow into visible lumps that could cause pus to leak out from your skin.

Actinomycosis is most commonly caused by dental infections or injuries or having an intrauterine device (IUD).

Broken nose

A break of crank in the bone or cartilage or your nose may cause facial swelling, as well as bruising around the nose and eyes.

A broken nose is most often caused by trauma or impact on the face.

External eyelid stye

An external eyelid stye is a swollen, painful lump that grows on the outside of the eyelid. It’s caused by bacteria or a blockage in the oil glands of the eyelid.

The lump may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

red, dry, or gritty eyes
swollen eyelids
pus that comes out of the stye

Most eyelid bumps are mild or harmless and should disappear within 1 week. However, speak with a doctor if you experience symptoms for longer, as this may indicate a more serious condition.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is a condition caused by inflammation or infection of the nasal passages and sinuses. It may be caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergies.

Symptoms like swelling, pain, and tenderness may affect the areas around your sinuses, including:

cheeks
forehead
eyes

Other symptoms may include:

decreased sense of smell
fever
stuffy nose
headache
fatigue
sore throat
cough

Recognizing a medical emergency

It’s important to get immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms of anaphylaxis, preeclampsia, or cellulitis.

Symptoms to look out for may include:

swollen mouth and throat
difficulty breathing or swallowing
hives or rash
swelling of the face or limbs
anxiety or confusion
coughing or wheezing
dizziness or lightheadedness
nasal congestion
palpitations and irregular heartbeat
slurred speech
rapid breathing
rapid heart rate
weak pulse
low blood pressure

In severe cases, respiratory or cardiac arrests may occur.

How to relieve facial swelling

Treatment for facial swelling will depend on the underlying cause.

It’s important to see a healthcare professional immediately if you experience anaphylaxis, cellulitis, or preeclampsia.

Swelling caused by a bee sting

If a venomous bee sting caused the swelling, remove the stinger immediately. However, don’t use tweezers to remove the stinger, as these can pinch it and cause it to release more venom.

To remove the bee sting, use a playing card instead:

Press down on the skin in front of the stinger.
Gently move the card toward the stinger.
Scoop the stinger up from the skin.

Swelling caused by infection

If an infection causes facial swelling, a doctor will most likely prescribe antibiotics.

If an abscess is present, the doctor may cut it open and drain it. The open area will then be closed in with packing material to prevent it from becoming infected and reoccurring.

Soothing a rash

A rash can be soothed with over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments, such as hydrocortisone cream or ointments. Using a cool compress may also help soothe the itch.

Other causes, such as edema and underlying medical conditions, will be treated by a doctor accordingly.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, check out our FindCare tool here.

Prevention of facial swelling

The best way to prevent facial swelling is to avoid any known allergens.

This may include reading ingredient labels and, when dining out, asking the waiter what ingredients are in the dishes you order.

If you experience an allergic reaction to medication, avoid taking that medication again.

If you have a known allergy that can cause anaphylaxis and have been prescribed epinephrine medication, such as an EpiPen, carry it with you. This medication counteracts a severe allergic reaction and can prevent facial swelling.

Frequently asked questions

Can poor circulation cause a puffy face?

Poor circulation may result from several health conditions like blood clots, which may cause edema or swelling.

Does a puffy face mean dehydration?

Research is conflicting on whether facial swelling may occur due to dehydration. It may occur during the early stages of dehydration, but symptoms of severe dehydration may include sunken eyelids and hollow cheeks.

How can I get rid of a puffy face?

Treatment for a puffy face will depend on the underlying cause. For instance, antibiotics may be needed to treat swelling caused by an infection, while emergency medical treatment may be required for anaphylaxis, cellulitis, or preeclampsia.

Takeaway

Facial swelling may have several causes, ranging from mild allergy symptoms to life threatening medical conditions.

If you experience facial swelling and other symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, and dizziness, get immediate medical attention. This may be a sign of a health condition that requires urgent medical treatment.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Actinomycosis. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/actinomycosis/
Anaphylaxis. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anaphylaxis/
Cellulitis. (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cellulitis/
Conjunctivitis. (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/conjunctivitis/
Pre-eclampsia. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/
Shaheen NA, et al. (2018). Public knowledge of dehydration and fluid intake practices: Variation by participants’ characteristics.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6282244/
Sinusitis (sinus infection). (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/
Srinivasan K. (2016). Biological Activities of Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum) and Its Pungent Principle Capsaicin: A Review.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25675368/
Stye. (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stye/
Tarbox JA, et al. (2018). Angioedema.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2681197

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Medically reviewed by Meera Patel, PA-C — Written by April Kahn — Updated on July 16, 2024

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Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Home Remedies

Related Articles

Prevention

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Management

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Complications

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Related Conditions

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Key takeaways

Allergic conjunctivitis

Preeclampsia

Cellulitis

Anaphylaxis

Angioedema

Actinomycosis

Broken nose

External eyelid stye

Sinusitis

Recognizing a medical emergency

How to relieve facial swelling

Swelling caused by a bee sting

Swelling caused by infection

Soothing a rash

Prevention of facial swelling

Frequently asked questions

Can poor circulation cause a puffy face?

Does a puffy face mean dehydration?

How can I get rid of a puffy face?

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

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