Why does sinusitis cause facial swelling?

Inflamed sinuses can cause local tenderness and mild puffiness, particularly in the area over a blocked sinus. Facial Swelling is a common presentation of Sinusitis. However, swelling of the face has other possible causes, including a dental infection, skin infection, injury, allergy, or a problem involving an eye. The speed at which swelling develops and whether it is one-sided are clinically useful details.

Swelling close to the eye needs extra caution because the tissues around the eye are near the sinuses. Pain, redness, warmth, fever, or a feeling of being generally unwell may indicate that prompt assessment is needed.

Rest, drink fluids, and use saline nasal spray or rinses if appropriate for you to support nasal drainage. A cool, clean compress may be comfortable for mild puffiness. Avoid squeezing the area, applying unprescribed creams, or using strong pressure over swollen skin. A pharmacist can advise about pain relief that is suitable alongside your usual medicines.

Take note of when the swelling started, whether it is spreading, and any eye or dental symptoms. This information can make an assessment more useful.

Seek urgent medical care for swelling around an eye, redness around an eye, eye pain, pain when moving the eye, blurred or double vision, severe headache, confusion, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, or rapidly increasing facial swelling. Arrange a same-day clinical review for facial swelling with fever, marked tenderness, dental pain, or worsening sinus symptoms.

Ask whether the swelling seems related to sinus inflammation or whether your teeth, skin, or eye area need examination. Tell the clinician about allergies, recent dental work, skin breaks, new medicines, and whether the swelling changes through the day.