What causes facial swelling?

Sudden swelling of the lips, tongue, eyelids, or face can occur with angioedema or anaphylaxis, sometimes after food, a sting, or a medicine. Cellulitis usually causes a warm, tender, red area that expands. Sinusitis may cause swelling or fullness near the cheeks or eyes with nasal blockage and facial discomfort. A tooth or gum infection can produce one-sided cheek or jaw swelling. Swelling on both sides, especially with ankle swelling or changes in urination, can occur with kidney disease. Drug allergy is another possible cause.

The timing, location, pain, redness, itch, and associated breathing or swallowing symptoms help a clinician judge the likely cause.

Remove a suspected irritant if safe, avoid taking a medicine that previously caused a reaction until a clinician advises you, and note what happened before the swelling began. Do not squeeze an infected area. Arrange same-day medical advice for painful, red, warm, or spreading swelling, fever, tooth pain, or swelling that does not settle. Bring a list of medicines and recent foods or exposures.

Call emergency services immediately for swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, wheezing, faintness, confusion, or difficulty swallowing. Anaphylaxis is time-critical and needs emergency treatment. Seek urgent assessment for swelling around the eye with vision changes, severe pain, or rapidly worsening redness.

Could this be an allergy, infection, sinus problem, or medicine reaction? Should I stop or change any medicine? What should I do if the swelling returns?