Facial swelling near the nose: what to know

Swelling around the bridge, eyelids, or cheek can accompany sinusitis, especially with blocked nasal passages, pressure, or discoloured mucus. Cellulitis tends to cause skin that is warm, red, tender, and increasingly swollen. Angioedema can appear suddenly around the face after a food, medicine, or other trigger. Chronic kidney disease can contribute to puffiness, often more noticeable around the eyes, but facial swelling has many possible explanations.

Note when the swelling began, whether it is spreading, and any new foods, medicines, cosmetics, bites, congestion, fever, or dental symptoms. Avoid a suspected trigger and use a cool, clean compress if it is comfortable. Do not squeeze a tender area or apply leftover antibiotics or steroid creams. Arrange a clinical assessment if swelling persists, returns, or is accompanied by pain, warmth, fever, or sinus symptoms.

Get emergency help immediately for swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat; wheezing; trouble breathing or swallowing; faintness; or rapidly spreading facial swelling. These can be signs of anaphylaxis. If prescribed emergency allergy medicine is available, use it as directed and seek emergency care; see Anaphylaxis Emergency Treatment for more information.

Could this be sinusitis, cellulitis, angioedema, or another cause? Which changes mean I should return urgently? Do I need an examination of my nose, teeth, skin, or medicines?