Facial swelling after sun exposure

Sunburn can make exposed skin red, hot, tender, and puffy, particularly across the cheeks, nose, forehead, or eyelids. Swelling that appears quickly, affects the lips or tongue, or comes with hives can occur with angioedema or a food or medicine allergy; sun exposure may simply have happened at the same time. Local warmth, increasing pain, pus, or a spreading red area can point toward cellulitis. Facial pressure, blocked nasal passages, and fever may fit sinusitis. Facial swelling is a common presentation of angioedema, but swelling alone does not identify its cause.

Move out of direct sun, cool the skin with a clean damp cloth, and avoid ice directly on the face. Drink fluids, do not pop blisters, and pause new creams, cosmetics, or fragranced products until the skin settles. Photograph the swelling and note foods, medicines, supplements, and outdoor products used before it began. A clinician can examine the skin, mouth, nose, and eyes and decide whether treatment for irritation, allergy, infection, or another problem is appropriate.

Call emergency services immediately for trouble breathing, wheezing, throat tightness, tongue swelling, faintness, confusion, or rapidly worsening facial swelling; these symptoms can occur with anaphylaxis and need urgent treatment. Seek same-day medical care for swelling around an eye, severe pain, fever, spreading redness, pus, vision changes, or inability to drink. Arrange a medical review if swelling persists, recurs after sun exposure, or follows a new medicine.

Could this be sunburn, angioedema, cellulitis, or an allergy? Which products or medicines should I stop? What warning signs should prompt emergency help if the swelling returns?