EDEMA OF THE FACE

Edema of the face

Related terms: Facial swelling, facial swelling, facial edema, puffy face, neck lymphedema, lymphedema of the face

Important: If you have any type of facial and/or neck edema that interferes with your ability to breathe, you must go quickly to your local emergency room or urgent care center.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis, like treatment will focus on the causative factor. Included in the work up will a history and physical examination. Blood tests and cultures may be indicated. For long term facial edema radiological tests may be ordered.

Causes:

The most common cause of facial swelling is a reaction to a specific allergen (angioedema). Other causes include sinusitis, conjunctivitis (eye), facial injury or trauma (including sunbuirn), surgeries, infections (cellulitis, erysipelas, impetigo) stye (hordeolum - eye), drugs (allergic reaction), insect bites and dental abscesses, obesity and conjunctivitis.

Special Considerations:

If there are no external signs or reasons for the facial edema, an internal serious medical condition may be indicated. Special concerns requiring immediate intervention include unknown painless facial swelling, bloody nasal discharge, orbital cellulitis and paratoid swelling with palsey. (1)

If your swelling does not go away you may want to consider a diagnoses of lymphedema. Mostly commonly facial lymphedema is caused by removal of neck and/or facial lymph nodes for biopsy, radiation treatment for cancer, trauma injuries that include damage to the lymph system.

Complications:

The most serious and life threatening complication can be anaphylatcic shock. Other complications if caused by infection can be spreading of the infection into other body areas or even sepsis.

Treatment:

As with most cases of edema, treatment will focus on the causative factor. Home treatment may include cold packs to the affected area. Medication to relieve allergic reactions, antibiotics in situations of infections, subsequent treatment of injuries.

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Facial swelling

Alternative Names

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

Definition

Facial swelling is the build-up of fluid in the face. Swelling may also affect the neck and upper arms.

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:

Pain, and where it hurts
How long the swelling has lasted
What makes it better or worse
If you have other symptoms

Causes

Allergic reaction (such as allergic rhinitis, hay fever, or a bee sting)
Angioedema
Blood transfusion reaction
Cellulitis
Conjunctivitis with swelling around the eye(s)
Drug reactions, including those due to aspirin, penicillin, sulfa, glucocorticoids, and others
Head, nose, or jaw surgery
Injury or trauma to the face (such as a burn)
Malnutrition (when severe)
Obesity
Sinusitis
Stye with swelling around the infected eye
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.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

You should call your health care provider if you have:

Sudden, painful, or severe facial swelling
Facial swelling that lasts a while, particularly if it is getting worse over time
Difficulty breathing
Fever, tenderness, or redness, which suggests infection

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

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.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003105.htm

Update Date: 1/22/2007

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External Links

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Edema of the face

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/a/anthrax/book-diseases-14c.htm

Causes of Face Swelling

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/face_swelling/causes.htm

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Facial Edema

University of Maryland Medicine

http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003105.htm

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Persistent Facial Edema

David Elpern MD

March 21, 2004

http://www.vgrd.org/archive/cases/2004/md/md.htm

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Facial Edema

familydoctor.org

http://familydoctor.org/x2578.xml

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Facial Swelling

http://health.discovery.com/encyclopedias/illnesses.html?article=3199

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Symptom: Face swelling

http://www.cureresearch.com/sym/face_swelling.htm

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Solid facial edema: treatment failure with oral isotretinoin monotherapy and combination oral isotretinoin and oral steroid therapy

http://dermatology.cdlib.org/141/case_presentations/facial/patel.html

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Hypogammaglobulinemia with Facial Edema

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1762068

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A 2-Year-Old Boy With Emesis and Facial Edema

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/529205?rss

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Medical Encyclopedia

Lymph tissue in the head and neck.

Lymph nodes play an important part in the body's defense against infection. Swelling might occur even if the infection is trivial or not apparent.

Update Date: 5/20/1999

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http://www.instantanatomy.net/headneck/vessels/lgeneralpattern.html

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http://www.instantanatomy.net/headneck/vessels/lneckchains.html

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Diagnostic Images

Edema, central on the face

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/2408.htm

Google Images

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=edema+of+the+face&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

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See also:

Comparison of Edema versus Lymphedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/edema_or_lymphedema.htm

Edema and Chronic Venous Insufficiency

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/edema_chronic_venous_insufficiency.htm

Edema and Deep Venous Thrombosis

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_deep_venous_thrombosis.htm

Edema and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/edema_and_reflex_sympathetic_dystrophy.htm

Edema and Venous Pooling

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/edema_and_venous_pooling.htm

Edema and Angioedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=angioedema

Edema of the Neck

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_of_the_neck.htm

Edema and Nephrotic Syndrome

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/edema_nephrotic_syndrome.htm

Edema and Thrombophlebitis

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/edema_thrombophlebitis.htm

Edema and Diabetes

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_and_diabetes.htm

Edema and Congestive Heart Failure

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_and_congestive_heart_failure.htm

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Join us as we work for lymphedema patients everywehere:

Advocates for Lymphedema

Dedicated to be an advocacy group for lymphedema patients. Working towards education, legal reform, changing insurance practices, promoting research, reaching for a cure.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AdvocatesforLymphedema/

Subscribe:

AdvocatesforLymphedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Pat O'Connor

Lymphedema People / Advocates for Lymphedema

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For information about Lymphedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema\

For Information about Lymphedema Complications

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=complications_of_lymphedema

For Lymphedema Personal Stories

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3

For information about How to Treat a Lymphedema Wound

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=how_to_treat_a_lymphedema_wound

For information about Lymphedema Treatment

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=treatment

For information about Exercises for Lymphedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=exercises_for_lymphedema

For information on Infections Associated with Lymphedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=infections_associated_with_lymphedema

For information on Lymphedema in Children

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_in_children

Lymphedema Glossary

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=glossary:listing

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Lymphedema People - Support Groups

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Children with Lymphedema

The time has come for families, parents, caregivers to have a support group of their own. Support group for parents, families and caregivers of chilren with lymphedema. Sharing information on coping, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Sponsored by Lymphedema People.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/childrenwithlymphedema/

Subscribe: childrenwithlymphedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Lipedema Lipodema Lipoedema

No matter how you spell it, this is another very little understood and totally frustrating conditions out there. This will be a support group for those suffering with lipedema/lipodema. A place for information, sharing experiences, exploring treatment options and coping.

Come join, be a part of the family!

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lipedema_lipodema_lipoedema/?yguid=209645515

Subscribe: lipedema_lipodema_lipoedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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MEN WITH LYMPHEDEMA

If you are a man with lymphedema; a man with a loved one with lymphedema who you are trying to help and understand come join us and discover what it is to be the master instead of the sufferer of lymphedema.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/menwithlymphedema/

Subscribe: menwithlymphedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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All About Lymphangiectasia

Support group for parents, patients, children who suffer from all forms of lymphangiectasia. This condition is caused by dilation of the lymphatics. It can affect the intestinal tract, lungs and other critical body areas.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/allaboutlymphangiectasia/

Subscribe: allaboutlymphangiectasia-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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Lymphatic Disorders Support Group @ Yahoo Groups

While we have a number of support groups for lymphedema... there is nothing out there for other lymphatic disorders. Because we have one of the most comprehensive information sites on all lymphatic disorders, I thought perhaps, it is time that one be offered.

DISCRIPTION

Information and support for rare and unusual disorders affecting the lymph system. Includes lymphangiomas, lymphatic malformations, telangiectasia, hennekam's syndrome, distichiasis, Figueroa
syndrome, ptosis syndrome, plus many more. Extensive database of information available through sister site Lymphedema People.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lymphaticdisorders/

Subscribe: lymphaticdisorders-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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All About Lymphedema

For our Google fans, we have just created this online support group in Google Groups:

Homepage: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/All-About-Lymphedema

Group email: All-About-Lymphedema@googlegroups.com

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Lymphedema Friends

http://groups.aol.com/lymphedemafriend

If you an AOL fan and looking for a support group in AOL Groups, come and join us there.

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Lymphedema People New Wiki Pages

Have you seen our new “Wiki” pages yet? Listed below are just a sample of the more than 140 pages now listed in our Wiki section. We are also working on hundred more. Come and take a stroll!

Lymphedema Glossary

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=glossary:listing

Lymphedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema

Arm Lymphedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=arm_lymphedema

Leg Lymphedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=leg_lymphedema

Acute Lymphedema

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=acute_lymphedema

The Lymphedema Diet

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=the_lymphedema_diet