Follow this chart to help distinguish various types of swelling on the face.
Trusted medical advice from the
Orenschools.
Orenschools.
Trusted medical advice from the
Orenschools.
Orenschools.
Facial Swelling
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems
- Elimination Problems in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
Step 2
Answering Questions
Do you have a painless, soft to firm lump on your head, face or neck?
Are your lips and eyes swollen and do you have a rash that looks like mosquito bites?
Do you have a painful pink or red bump, or a group of smaller bumps on your forehead or face?
Do you have red, flaky, oily areas near your scalp, in the folds of your nose, or on your cheeks?
Do you have painful swelling near one or both ears, and do you have fever along with pain when chewing or swallowing?
Do you have reddish, raised, excessive tissue that seems to be growing around the area of a scar or piercing?
Step 3
Possible Causes
Diagnosis
You may have a SEBACEOUS CYST, a collection of oil under the skin. Sebaceous cysts are usually small and grow slowly.
Self Care
See your doctor is the cyst becomes tender or inflamed. Your doctor may suggest treating an inflamed cyst with injections. He or she may also recommend surgery to remove the cyst.
Diagnosis
Your symptoms may be from an ALLERGIC REACTION or HIVES.
Self Care
EMERGENCY
If you have trouble breathing, your throat becomes tight, or the swelling becomes severe, see your doctor or go to the emergency room right away.Diagnosis
You may have a skin infection such as BOILS, CARBUNCLES, orACNE. A boil is a large, pus-filled bump. Multiple boils are called carbuncles. Acne occurs when oil glands start producing more oil and block pores. Acne can result in blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.
Self Care
Warm compresses may help boils and carbuncles heal faster. See your doctor if you’re in pain or if the infection hasn’t healed in a couple of weeks. If you have acne, try using an over-the-counter acne medicine. See your doctor if the problem persists.
Diagnosis
You may have a skin irritation caused by ACNE, ROSACEA or SEBORRHEA.
Self Care
See your doctor.
Diagnosis
You may have the MUMPS, a contagious viral infection that affects the glands below and in front of the ears.
Self Care
The MMR vaccine prevents mumps. If you think you have mumps, see your doctor. Because this infection is caused by a virus, antibiotics aren’t effective. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve the pain. Cold compresses may also help.
Diagnosis
You may have a KELOID.
Self Care
See your doctor.
Self Care
For more information, talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.
