A puffy face can be both embarrassing and uncomfortable. Known in the medical community as a “facial edema,” a puffy face may have a variety of causes. According to the National Institutes of Health, elevating your head will help reduce the swelling. Should the swelling cause you severe pain or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately as some causes of facial swelling may be life threatening.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, commonly referred to simply as “steroids,” are a synthetic version of the hormone cortical produced by the adrenal gland. Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed to treat inflammatory conditions and to decrease the activity of the immune system. Without corticosteroids, an over-active immune system can result in tissue damage. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some patients undergoing treatment with corticosteroids experience side effects such as a swollen, puffy face. This reaction is normal and should subside when the treatment is complete.
Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess can cause you to suffer from a swollen face. This is due to the fact that a tooth abscess indicates an infection beneath the tooth. When an infection occurs, the body’s natural response is to produce additional white blood cells to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body, causing a buildup of pus. Pus is a substance made up of white blood cells, bacteria and dead tissue. As the infection worsens, more white blood cells collect in the infected area, killing off the bacteria present and causing additional pus. This causes the area of the face around the tooth to swell—leaving you with a puffy face.
Allergies
The University of Illinois Medical Center warns that allergic reactions may cause facial swelling and result in a puffy face. Seasonal allergies, such as an allergy to pollen that often appears in the spring, can cause skin to swell anywhere on your body, including your face. A reaction to a food-borne allergy is often more serious an can leave you with a more pronounced facial edema. In cases such as these, your tongue, lips and throat may also swell—putting you in danger of respiratory distress.
Preeclampsia
Many women notice swelling during pregnancy. Significant swelling in the face and hands, however, may indicate that you suffer from a condition known as preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is marked by high blood pressure which can cause your body to retain fluid in your face or extremities. If you are pregnant and significant or sudden facial swelling leads you to believe that you may suffer from preeclampsia, notify your obstetrician immediately. While the only cure for preeclampsia is delivery, your physician can help you lower your blood pressure until your baby reaches full gestation.
