9 Potential Severe Face Swelling Causes
Disclaimer: The article does not replace an evaluation by a physician. Information on this page is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.
1.Allergic Reaction (Not Life - Threatening)
When the body encounters a harmful substance, it responds with inflammation and swelling that can be protective. In many individuals, the body responds this way to substances that are not normally harmful, like foods or pollen. This is the basis of allergy, or Type 1 Hypersensitivity.
Symptoms should resolve in a matter of hours.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- swollen face, swollen lips, lip numbness, hives, red swollen bumps or patches with a pale center, lip redness
- Symptoms that never occur with allergic reaction (not life-threatening):
- shortness of breath, throat itching
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
2.Temporomandibular Joint (Tmj) Dysfunction Disorder
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located in front of the ear, and it connects the jaw to the side of the head. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a painful condition which can be caused by excess tension in jaw mucles, faulty alignment between upper and lower teeth, arthritis in the joint, or injury of the jaw or face.
Outcome is highly case-dependent.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- dizziness, pain, restricted movement, and clicking sounds from jaw, history of headaches, jaw pain, pain in the back of the neck
- Symptoms that always occur with temporomandibular joint (tmj) dysfunction disorder:
- pain, restricted movement, and clicking sounds from jaw
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
3.Chronic Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses (hollow cavities behind the nose & cheeks) that lasts more than 12 weeks and can continue for months or years.
Longer than 3 months.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, headache, trouble sleeping, congestion, runny nose
- Symptoms that always occur with chronic sinusitis:
- chronic sinusitis symptoms
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
4.Cellulitis
Facial cellulitis is a skin infection that typically comes from other parts of the face like the mouth or the sinuses and needs antibiotic treatment. Symptoms can be pain, redness, warmth and swelling of the affected area.
Dependent on severity of infection
- Rarity:
- Uncommon
- Top Symptoms:
- fever, chills, facial redness, swollen face, face pain
- Symptoms that always occur with cellulitis:
- facial redness, area of skin redness
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
Severe Face Swelling Checker
Take a quiz to find out why you’re having severe face swelling.
Take a quiz5.Tooth Abscess (Infection)
A tooth abscess is a collection of infected material (pus) in the center of a tooth. It is due to bacterial infection.
Resolves after treatment
- Rarity:
- Uncommon
- Top Symptoms:
- severe jaw or tooth pain, swollen jaw, jaw stiffness, tooth pain that gets worse with hot, cold, or sweet beverages, warm and red jaw swelling
- Symptoms that always occur with tooth abscess (infection):
- severe jaw or tooth pain
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
6.Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease, also known as chronic renal failure, is a disorder caused by gradual loss of kidney function. It is most common in elderly individuals.
This condition cannot be reversed; however, treatment can delay or stop the disease from worsening.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, decreased sex drive, dry skin
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
7.Swelling Caused by Use of an Ace Inhibitor
ACE Inhibitors are drugs used to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure and diabetes. In rare cases, these drugs can cause an allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
With proper treatment and removal of the drug, prognosis is good.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- shortness of breath, swollen face, trouble swallowing, swollen lips, swollen tongue
- Symptoms that never occur with swelling caused by use of an ace inhibitor:
- hives, red swollen bumps or patches with a pale center
- Urgency:
- Hospital emergency room
8.Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that most often affects the lungs and skin, but can als affect the joints.
This condition has a broad range of severity. It often goes away on its own over time but some cases can cause permanent damage.
- Rarity:
- Rare
- Top Symptoms:
- fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, joint pain
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
9.Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors in the uterus. They are common in women of childbearing age.
Treatment ranges from medication to surgical removal of the fibroid.
- Rarity:
- Common
- Top Symptoms:
- vaginal bleeding, pelvis pain, abdominal cramps (stomach cramps), painful periods, irregular period
- Urgency:
- Primary care doctor
Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Severe Face Swelling
- Q.Any fever today or during the last week?
- Q.Do you have a rash?
- Q.Does your throat feel itchy or irritated?
- Q.If you touch the swollen area, is there pain?
If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions, try our severe face swelling symptom checker to find out more.
Take a quizSevere Face Swelling Symptom Checker Statistics
People who have experienced severe face swelling have also experienced:
- 5% Pain on One Side of the Face
- 4% Headache
- 4% Facial Redness
People who have experienced severe face swelling had symptoms persist for:
- 42% Less Than a Week
- 40% Less Than a Day
- 10% Over a Month
People who have experienced severe face swelling were most often matched with:
- 50% Allergic Reaction (Not Life - Threatening)
- 5% Temporomandibular Joint (Tmj) Dysfunction Disorder
Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from visits to the Buoy AI health assistant (check it out by clicking on “Take Quiz”).