Facial swelling

Alternative names:

facial edema; moon face; puffy face; swelling of the face

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:

Facial swelling caused by burns, or in cases of respiratory distress, emergency measures will 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:

• time pattern
  • How long has the facial swelling lasted?
  • When did it begin?

• aggravating factors
  • What makes it worse?

• relieving factors
  • What makes it better?

• general health
  • What is the height and weight?
  • How has the diet been?

• other
  • Has there been exposure to something to which the person may be allergic (an antigen)?
  • What medication is being taken?
  • Has there been recent facial injury?
  • Has there been 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.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to facial swelling, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.