How to Diagnose Facial Swelling

Facial swelling, or facial edema, is the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the face. This condition can occur at any time for any reason. Facial swelling might give your whole face or just a portion of it a deformed appearance, which can last a few minutes or several days. Some circumstances, conditions or diseases can cause your face to swell, but there are ways to effectively diagnose facial swelling.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror

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Instructions

• 1

  Examine your face using a lighted mirror, or make sure your room is well lit. Look for any painful red or pink bumps or a group of smaller bumps on your face or forehead. These symptoms might mean you have a skin infection such as acne, carbuncles or boils.

• 2

  Look for painful swelling near one or both of your ears. Pain that is accompanied by a fever when chewing or swallowing might indicate that you have the mumps. The mumps is a contagious viral infection that affects the parotid glands located in front and below your ears.

• 3

  Look for oily, flaky, red areas on your cheeks, in the folds of your nose and areas near your scalp. These symptoms might mean you have a skin irritation caused by seborrhea or acne rosacea.

• 4

  Look for any firm painless lumps on your neck, head or face. These are sebaceous cysts. These small slow-growing cysts are a collection of oil under the skin.

• 5

  Look for swelling in your eyes and lips as well as any rashes that resembles mosquito bites. These symptoms might be from hives or an allergic reaction. If the swelling becomes severe, or your throat becomes tight and you have difficulty breathing, go to the emergency room.