Facial Edema - Why Does The Face Swell In The Morning? Reasons How To Remove Swelling From The Face?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Causes of facial edema, how to remove?

Facial edema is a pathological condition caused by the retention of excess fluid in the tissues of the face (in the intercellular space), which results in a violation of water metabolism and a noticeable swelling of the maxillofacial region.

Edema is not a disease - just a symptom of an ailment. For effective treatment of facial edema, first of all, it is necessary to determine its cause, and then decide whether it is possible to cope with the problem on its own or medical assistance is required. At the same time, swelling of the face can appear in an absolutely healthy person due to some circumstances.

Content:

• Why does the face swell?
• Swelling of the face in the morning
• How to remove swelling from the face?

Why does the face swell?

The accumulation of excess fluid in the body, which results in edema, can occur for various reasons. If, in addition to edema, shortness of breath is observed, this is probably a malfunction of the heart. Also, with swelling of the face caused by heart problems, the liver is noticeably enlarged. In the event that the face has acquired a bluish tint, it is a violation of the circulatory system.

If the largest area of edema is under the eyes, then it can be assumed that the problem lies in the kidneys. As a rule, such edema appears in the morning. The face is enlarged, and then the eyelids, especially the lower ones. In this case, the swelling is watery and soft, they can be moved. Also, with renal edema, the skin takes on a yellowish-bronze tint. Those people who suffer from chronic kidney disease often experience rapid weight gain before edema due to internal edema.

If there is an infection in the area of the paranasal sinuses, this can also cause swelling. In this case, the outflow of lymph becomes more difficult, but as the inflammation decreases, the edema also disappears. People with diabetes mellitus often suffer from such edema, because in this group of people the body's resistance to infections is reduced.

People with chronic respiratory or sinus disease may also experience facial swelling. Here you should not try to cope with the swelling on your own, especially applying cold compresses to the nasal area. Edema will be eliminated only by treatment of diseases and their regular prevention.

Endocrine diseases are also the cause of edema. As a rule, in this case, severe edema of the skin and subcutaneous tissue appears on the face, in which mucous tissue accumulates. The tissues do not have enough thyroid hormones, and the person needs hormone therapy, which is prescribed by the doctor.

In the summer, people often experience facial swelling due to sunburn. To avoid them, you need to either cover the most sensitive areas of the face - the nose and cheeks, or use protective equipment. If a burn does occur, then in order to avoid swelling, cold compresses are immediately made, if possible with soothing herbs, or a special cream is used. In no case need to lubricate burns with oil.

There are other causes of facial edema:

• malignant or benign tumors in the face and jaw;
• infections in the maxillofacial area;
• blood transfusion reaction;
• high blood pressure;
• fluid retention in the body during pregnancy, especially in the first phases and during the period of toxicosis;
• the beginning of the menstrual cycle;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• malfunctions of immunity and lack of vitamins and minerals;
• eating low-quality products;
• excessive salt intake;
• unbalanced diet or fasting;
• obesity;
• overwork;
• lack of sleep, etc.

Allergies as a cause of facial edema

If the cause of the edema is an allergic reaction, such edema is called angioedema. In addition to edema, shortness of breath, hives, skin redness, itching, or even loss of consciousness may indicate allergies. As a rule, the soft tissues of the face swell - lips, eyelids (the eyes become "slit-like"), tissues on the back of the hand can also grow and acquire a pink tint. To relieve such swelling, you can use an anti-allergic ointment sold at a pharmacy. You also need to take an antihistamine - a Suprastin tablet.

On the subject: Antihistamines of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations

The peculiarity of allergic edema on the face is that it can last from 5 minutes to a couple of hours, and then disappear without a trace. Allergies can be chronic, laid down even before birth, or appear suddenly, and be caused by drugs, especially antibiotics, chemicals used in everyday life, specific food products, insect bites (wasp stings are considered one of the most dangerous), inhalation dust, animal hair or plant pollen. Allergies caused by stressful situations are becoming more common.

With angioedema, facial swelling may also occur. This edema develops quickly and suddenly. Along with the accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous fatty tissue and mucous membranes, the veins and capillaries expand. It should be borne in mind that this is a dangerous syndrome, and there is a possibility of suffocation, since edema can also affect the pharynx. In this case, an injection of an antihistamine ("Suprastin") is given and immediate medical attention is sought. If a person has once had Quincke's edema, there is a high probability that this may recur when exposed to an allergen.

Sometimes self-identification of an allergen is impossible, and for this you should consult a doctor to undergo a series of tests. Situations often arise when a person has a reaction to several groups of allergens at once, or over time the list of contraindications is replenished. It is better for such people to always have antihistamines with them.

For allergic swelling of the face, compresses, washing with cold water and other means for external use (in addition to special ointments) are ineffective. To cleanse the skin or wipe it with lotions in such cases is categorically contraindicated. Allergic edema is dealt with either with the help of medicines, or it goes away on its own. You also need to try not to touch your face with your hands, do not rub it.

On the subject: All information about facial allergies

Facial swelling after tooth extraction

Tooth extraction is a minor surgical operation, i.e., an intervention in the natural functioning of the body. This can cause complications and side effects, especially if a person's immunity is weakened. The destruction of the soft tissues surrounding the tooth itself entails traumatic edema of the gums and cheeks, and if the removal operation was difficult (wisdom teeth, tooth extraction in parts), then the edema is almost inevitable. At the same time, puffiness cannot be called a complication, and in most cases it does not pose a threat to the patient's health and life.

You need to worry if the edema is accompanied by severe pain syndrome, fever, signs of intoxication, and does not go away for a long time. In this case, the development of inflammation in the wound can be assumed. This may be due to the doctor's violation of the rules for antiseptic treatment of damaged tissues or the patient's failure to comply with the dentist's instructions. Also, inflammation can occur if the tooth is not completely removed, or a focus of infection remains in the wound, which was hidden under the tooth. Sometimes cheek swelling is caused by a patient's allergic reaction to anesthetics or other medications.

If there are signs of inflammation, it is necessary to examine the wound and find out the general condition of the patient. The wound, as a rule, is carefully treated with an antiseptic or antibiotic solution, if necessary, purulent formations or tooth fragments are removed. After surgical cleansing of the wound, treatment is prescribed, which may include stimulation of the immune system, so that the body can quickly cope with the disease.

Symptoms after tooth extraction, such as shortness of breath and wheezing, pose a great health hazard. In this case, we can talk about allergic edema of the respiratory tract, which requires the prompt assistance of resuscitators, otherwise suffocation may occur.

Physiological edema of the cheek after tooth extraction does not require treatment - only preventive actions. To reduce swelling, it is recommended to apply cold to the affected area immediately after the operation, and after a few hours - something warm and dry (heated salt or cereal). To avoid frostbite or burns, you need to apply objects to your face through a cloth. Soreness of the cheek can persist for about two weeks, if the pain syndrome persists, you should consult a doctor for re-debridement of the wound.

On the subject: Swelling after wisdom tooth extraction

Swelling after facial surgery

Swelling of facial tissues after surgery is a natural phenomenon, and it can be avoided in rare cases. It should be noted that, due to age or individual characteristics of the body and immunity, people undergo surgery in different ways. In one patient, the edema after surgery is barely noticeable, while in another person in a similar situation, the edema is pronounced and does not go away for a long time.

Usually, the largest edema appears on the second or third day after the operation, and then gradually subside. After a week, the swelling should be less, and after two weeks it should go completely. Of course, you can speed up the process of tissue regeneration and removal of excess fluid from them, if you follow the recommendations of specialists.

Surgeons do not recommend taking a bath or hot shower in the first two weeks, especially they do not recommend going to the sauna and overheating in the sun. It is better to limit yourself to a contrast shower and wash your face with cool water. In the first two days, it is advisable to make cold compresses from herbal decoctions or apply cabbage leaves to problem areas. Do not wipe your face with any chemical agents and do not use decorative cosmetics.

Physical activity and overvoltage should be excluded, more rest. Bending over, thereby providing a rush of fluid to the head, is also not advised. If possible, you should keep your eyes closed more often and try to blink less often. It is not advisable to work at the computer for a long time or to read a lot - this makes the muscles of the face feel excessive tension. Sleep should be optimal - you need to get enough sleep. At the same time, it is recommended to sleep on a high pillow, in a well-ventilated area.

At the same time, much depends on the drinking regime and diet. Alcohol consumption is contraindicated, salty, spicy, fried and smoked foods should be reduced to a minimum. You should drink about two liters of water a day, but do not drink coffee or carbonated drinks.

If the swelling does not go away within two weeks, you should contact your surgeon or other specialist. Even despite knowing your physiological characteristics, self-medication and hoping that everything will go away by itself is dangerous.

Swelling on the face after a blow

Swelling on the face after a blow is also a completely normal phenomenon, and appears due to tissue damage and bursting blood vessels. Edema is accompanied by a change in skin color - from red to blue or purple, and then the edema subsides and the site of the injury turns yellow. Usually, such edema disappears gradually, and after a couple of weeks, they do not leave a trace. However, if first aid is given to a person immediately after a blow, the swelling will go away much faster and more painlessly.

Most often, swelling appears under the eyes - as a result of a blow directly to the eye area, or to the bridge of the nose. In this case, you need to make sure that the eye itself is not damaged and the bone is not broken - for this, a specialist examination is desirable. And, making sure that only the outer tissues are damaged, you can use various methods to relieve puffiness.

The most common and effective method is to apply something very cold to the impact site, preferably ice or frozen food. You can use metal objects, especially cold ones, for example, place a coin or spoon in the freezer for a couple of minutes, and then attach it to the swelling. This must be done as soon as possible, and kept at the site of the injury for at least 10 minutes. After that, it is recommended to make cool compresses, using herbal decoctions for them - wormwood, plantain, yarrow, St. John's wort, heather.

From childhood, a familiar way to reduce pain and speed up healing is to apply a plantain leaf to the bruised area. The cabbage leaf also works. Cabbage perfectly relieves puffiness, as if pulling excess fluid from the tissues. Pain syndrome after using cabbage leaves also becomes less noticeable, redness of the skin disappears.

Of the folk remedies that help with bruises, one can single out the bodyagu - a freshwater sponge sold in pharmacies in the form of a powder or gel. The bandage is held on the face until it dries. A mixture of analginum with iodine also helps. The tablets are finely crumbled, a few drops of iodine are added and the resulting mass is applied to the bruise.

The pharmacy also sells many products that allow you to quickly get rid of edema - these are various ointments based on extracts from plants or synthetic drugs with an analgesic effect. For swelling of the face after bruises use "Troxevasin", "Lioton-gel" or "Dolobene-gel".

Swelling on the face after blows does not need to be touched with your hands or trying to massage - it can be even worse. The use of physiotherapy is possible only with the permission of the attending physician, and at later stages.

The face is swollen after "booze"

Perhaps the most common cause of facial edema among residents of Russia is night gatherings while drinking alcoholic beverages. Accordingly, the more was drunk and the less time left for sleep, the more likely it is to see in the morning a noticeably enlarged face and small "slits" instead of eyes in the mirror. It should be noted that with age, the chances of encountering such an unpleasant phenomenon seriously increase.

The most noticeable swelling after taking alcohol in the first hours after waking up, but if just at this time there is an important meeting or you need to go to work, you need to take urgent measures. Usually they use folk remedies, the most effective of which is cold compresses. The easiest way is to moisten a towel with cold water and put it on your face, or wash your face with cool water for 10 minutes.

You can prepare for solving such a problem in advance, and stock up, for example, with ice cubes, so that in the morning, wrapping them in a towel, apply to your face. Here you need to be careful, because the largest area of edema will be on the eyelids, and you should not apply ice to the eyes - this can negatively affect the health of the eyes. If the blood vessels are cracked in the eyes, then cold compresses will not help - you need to use anti-inflammatory drops.

You can also prepare an herbal infusion in the evening and put it in the refrigerator in order to moisten a napkin in it in the morning and make a compress. For these purposes, herbs such as chamomile, mint, horsetail, St. John's wort, and lingonberry leaves are suitable. Some are helped by chilled black or green tea (also in the form of compresses or as a wash).

Most often, swelling on the face appears after drinking a lot of beer with a very salty snack. Therefore, if important things are coming the next day, it is better to reduce the use of both. And, going to bed, you need to try to lie face up on the pillow, but if you sleep "on your face", then the "rumpled" look in the morning is provided.

Taking any means inside to remove swelling from the face is almost useless. But for some, drinking a cup of warm green tea with milk helps. It is advisable to refuse hot drinks and dishes like soup - steam that gets on the face will only increase the swelling. Salty foods should also not be consumed immediately after lifting - they will retain fluid, as a result of which the swelling will not subside longer.

Together with compresses or masks, you can make a light facial massage, paying particular attention to the area around the eyes. With this massage, it will also be useful to use essential oil (add 2-3 drops to a spoonful of base vegetable oil), which has a calming effect. You should not rub your face, use scrubs and lotions. A hot bath will also not be beneficial, the best option is a contrast shower, after which not only the appearance will improve, but also the general condition.

Swelling of the face in the morning

Nutritionists believe that if a healthy person's face swells in the morning, the reason should be sought in his diet. As a rule, edema occurs in those people who do not care about their health and do not adhere to the principles of a healthy diet, or those who periodically violate them due to circumstances. Salt helps to retain excess fluid in the tissues. If you reduce its amount in the daily diet, the swelling can soon disappear. Also, it is not recommended to often eat canned foods, spicy, smoked foods. At the same time, the volume of clean water drunk per day must be at least two liters.

Also, in the morning, the face of those who like to eat before bedtime or even in the middle of the night swells. You need to eat 3-4 hours before bedtime, and it is advisable not to eat "heavy" food - fatty, fried, animal products, with the exception of low-fat milk and kefir. You should also not drink before bedtime, and in order to avoid thirst, it is advisable to reduce salt intake in the afternoon.

Often the so-called owls - people who go to bed late - notice swelling on the face. And if in his youth a person, as a rule, looks quite fresh after a sleepless night, then in adulthood traces of overwork or improper regimen are visible on the face. Doctors advise to go to bed before midnight, preferably no later than 10 pm, then in the morning the person will look rested and feel accordingly.

In the event that swelling in the morning becomes chronic, you should seriously think about the health of the internal organs. Edema often occurs due to disorders in the functioning of the kidneys or cardiovascular system. In this case, the swelling can be accompanied by a change in complexion, shortness of breath or other unpleasant symptoms, often painful. In this case, a full examination of all body systems and a course of treatment can help.

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How to remove swelling from the face?

If the swelling of the face is not chronic in nature and is the result of malnutrition, bruising, allergies, it will go away rather quickly, and the process can be accelerated with folk remedies or simple actions. If the edema does not go away for a long time or periodically appears, you can visually reduce it by the same means, but you can get rid of it only by identifying and treating the ailment that caused the edema.

Here are some methods to relieve swelling:

• diuretic: tablets or infusion of the herb bear ears (the fastest and most effective way, if the cause is not a bruise or an allergic reaction);
• antihistamines ("Suprastin", "Tavegil"). In this case, it is better not to swallow the tablets, but to put them under the tongue;
• gels that relieve edema (Troxevasin, Lioton-gel, Dolobene-gel and others);
• decoction of bay leaves. Take 3 times a day for a tablespoon (3 sheets per glass of boiling water). After a week, the swelling should go away;
• decoction of dandelion root. Brew it in a 1: 5 ratio, take it twice a day - after waking up and before bed;
• reducing salt intake to at least 3 grams per day, but it is advisable to completely abandon salty foods for a while;
• normalization of water balance in the body - it is necessary to drink a sufficient amount of plain water daily. The average rate for an adult is up to two liters per day;
• refusal to use smoked and canned food, mayonnaise, ketchup, as well as carbonated drinks, alcohol and coffee;
• exclusion of meals and liquids before bedtime (the last meal should be at least 3 hours before bedtime);
• inclusion in the diet of more foods containing fiber - vegetables, fruits;
• regular kidney cleansing;
• cold and hot shower;
• cold compresses, or rubbing the skin with ice cubes;
• washing with decoctions of medicinal plants - chamomile, mint, linden, lingonberry leaves;
• using a high pillow for sleeping. This will ensure the outflow of fluid from the face;
• decongestant masks.

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Mask for edema on the face

The following masks will help improve blood circulation to the face and help excess fluid escape:

• Potato. For its preparation, potatoes are boiled in a peel and kneaded with a fork, after which the resulting "puree" is applied in a warm form to the face for 15 minutes. This mask is considered the most effective. But, if there is not enough time for boiling, you can also use raw potatoes - they are cut into circles and kept on the swollen areas of the face until the potatoes are heated. You can grate raw potatoes, squeeze juice out of it and use for compresses.
• Dill and sour cream. Several sprigs of fresh dill are chopped finely (you should get about 1 teaspoon of herbs) and mixed with 2 tablespoons of chilled sour cream. Keep such a mask on your face for about 10-15 minutes, or until the sour cream heats up. The mask is washed off with cool water.
• Parsley root mask. Fresh parsley root is scrolled through a meat grinder or grated on a fine grater. The gruel is applied to problem areas (it is also possible on the eyelids), after 20 minutes it is washed off with lukewarm water. After such a mask, no face cream is required.
• Cucumber. Fresh cucumber (preferably from the refrigerator) is rubbed on a coarse grater, and the resulting gruel is applied to the face. You need to keep such a mask for about 20 minutes. This mask will also moisturize the skin, give it a fresh look, which will greatly help with the swelling caused by the abuse of alcoholic beverages.
• Tea. It is necessary to brew black or green tea to make a strong infusion. After it cools down, moisten a napkin or gauze in it and apply to your face. As soon as the compress heats up, it must be moistened again. Used tea bags can also be put on your eyes, however, the quality of the infusion in the tea bags is noticeably worse.
• Herbal infusions. Brew sage, chamomile or birch buds (preferably in a water bath). The infusion is filtered and allowed to cool. It should be applied to the face according to the same principle as in the previous recipe.
• Essential oil. In one tablespoon of vegetable oil (olive, sesame, soy), you need to dilute two drops of essential oils of juniper, geranium and rosemary. Apply the resulting mixture to the face and do a light massage (if the facial tissues are not injured). Use a soft tissue or cotton swabs to remove the mask.
• Buckwheat mask. Buckwheat is ground in a coffee grinder, then it must be placed in a cloth bag and immersed in boiling water for 2 minutes. After the contents have cooled, attach the bag to your face for 15 minutes.
• Mask with cognac. Typically, this mask is used to relieve swelling after parties. It contains: a teaspoon of brandy or vodka, egg yolk, half a teaspoon of lemon, 5 drops of vegetable oil, half a spoonful of green tea. You can add a little anti-edema gel, it is sold in any pharmacy. You need to keep the mask on your face for about 15 minutes, then rinse it off and rub your face with chilled green tea or an ice cube.

The choice of remedies that will help get rid of edema directly depends on the cause of fluid retention. In the event that regular and prolonged swelling of the face is observed, which is difficult to remove, it is necessary to consult a doctor and check the work of internal organs and systems. Usually, after a course of treatment and restoration of body functions, the problem disappears.

Emergency medical attention should be sought if facial swelling is accompanied by shortness of breath and cough, a feeling of tightness in the throat, itching in the mouth, rash or hives, a sharp change in complexion (cyanosis, yellowing, pallor), redness of the eyes, their bulge or feeling of pain.

Author of the article: Lebedev Andrey Sergeevich | Urologist

Education: Diploma in the specialty "Andrology" received after completing residency at the Department of Endoscopic Urology of the Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education in the urological center of the Central Clinical Hospital No. 1 of JSC Russian Railways (2007). Postgraduate studies were completed here by 2010.