Symptoms accompanying these causes are blocked nasal passages, dizziness, and watery eyes. Other causes for a swollen or puffy face are any infection.
Localized swelling occurs if you have an injury or infection. You may experience pain in the face, limbs, and groin. Swelling may also take place around the mouth.
Fluid retention or an underlying cause may also lead to a puffy face. These are the warning signs that you should opt for a physical examination.
In such cases, one must see a doctor and monitor blood pressure regularly. One should learn about the symptoms of high pressure and the solutions to opt for if they appear.
1. Are There Specific Symptoms Related to High Blood Pressure?
If you are thinking that you can have high blood pressure, you should consider the symptoms that lead to the ultimate crisis. According to UHN, the term “silent killer” was coined for high blood pressure.
This is because this issue persists for a long period, and it does not even let one know about itself! But suddenly, reaching the pinnacle leads to an unbelievable health crisis. For instance, a stroke!
Cleveland Clinic states that nearly 46 percent of adults are unaware of suffering from hypertension. This is because there are no specific symptoms related to high blood pressure in the cause of facial swelling.
However, it is necessary to break some myths that are termed as symptoms of hypertension. Two such myths are disclosed below:
1.1. Having a Headache? Not a Medical Emergency for Hypertension
It’s a myth that headaches are a sign indicating hypertension. Only in hypersensitive situations do headaches occur. The systolic and diastolic pressure of blood depicts a touchy case of hypertension.
The topmost count of 180 mm Hg is called systolic pressure, while the bottom level of 110 mm Hg is known as diastolic.
A systolic pressure ranges from 120 to 139 mm Hg, while a diastolic pressure ranges from 80 to 89 mm Hg. These may be seen as signs of prehypertension. This is when one should take the necessary steps to bring hypertension under control.
However, you cannot take a headache as a reliable indication of high blood pressure.
1.2.Hypertension and Facial Flushing
If your face becomes red, it may result from ingesting spicy meals.
Several cosmetics may also lead to flushing of the face and swelling. Hence, it does not necessarily mean that facial flushing is occurring due to hypertension.
2. Can High Blood Pressure Cause Face Swelling?
Facial flushing due to high blood pressure occurs when blood vessels in the face are dilated. It can occur more often than expected randomly or as a response to certain triggers, such as cold weather and sun exposure.
Other than hypertension, there may be several different reasons why facial swelling occurs. One may rise early in the morning with a puffy face due to pressure put on the place while sleeping.
But it may also occur due to some injury or underlying medical conditions!
So, read along to know more causes of facial flushing so next time your face feels puffy, you don’t misdiagnose it to be a symptom of high blood pressure.
2.1. Anaphylactic Shock
This is one of the most life-threatening conditions occurring due to allergic reactions. Several symptoms occur after exposure to known allergens, such as nuts, shellfish, sesame, soy, insect bites, and milk. So, keep a note of a specific allergic reaction in these cases.
The symptoms include itching, swelling, rapid heart rate, fainting, skin or facial swelling, and difficulty breathing. Nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are associated symptoms.
Hence, if you experience anaphylaxis, you should treat it without delay.
An anaphylactic shock may be treated by making use of epinephrine medical treatment. As soon as the symptoms occur, call 911 without delaying treatment.
Meanwhile, lay the patient on their back and raise their feet to nearly 12 inches, covering them with a blanket. In case the patient pauses to breathe, CPR should be available.
2.2. Drug Allergies
Facial swelling may also occur due to drug allergies. This requires quick medical treatment. The symptoms associated with a drug allergy consist of mild and itchy rashes after a few weeks of taking the drug.
Other associated symptoms relating to such allergic reactions are fever, stuffy nose, and the appearance of reddish dots on the skin. These are the results of a severe allergic reaction and should be treated immediately.
Corticosteroids may assist in reducing facial swelling. These medications arrive as eye drops, pills, and creams.
2.3. Broken Nose and Facial Swelling
Yes, a break in the nose bone caused by an impact on the face results in facial swelling. Symptoms associated with a broken nose are nosebleeds, a crooked nose, and a grating sound as the nose is rubbed.
Bruises occur after some time if this facial or skin injury remains untreated.
2.4 Allergic Conjunctivitis
You may likely develop watery eyes with immense pain if exposed to allergens such as mould spores or pollen.
The inside of the eyelids has a membrane named the conjunctiva. This membrane is vulnerable to irritation, especially during the season of hay fever.
This issue may be resolved with home care. One should refrain from rubbing the eyes. One may also make use of a cold compress to reduce the infection. You may also wear sunglasses for protection from the known allergen.
2.5. Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s Syndrome occurs when your body processes too much cortisol, a stress hormone. If you take medications such as glucocorticoids, similar symptoms may be observed.
The popular symptoms of this syndrome are the appearance of a rounded face and purple stretch marks. Other symptoms associated with Cushing’s syndrome are tiredness, hypertension, and the occurrence of any infection.
Underlying medical conditions, such as issues with adrenal glands, lead to excessive cortisol buildup. This requires medical emergency and immediate medical attention. Many lumps sometimes build cortisol in these glands and cause Cushing syndrome.
2.6. Hyperthyroidism
The issue of Hyperthyroidism occurs when an accelerated amount of thyroid hormones are produced. Flushing of the face, swelling, and bulging eyes are noticed.
A high amount of thyroid gland production leads to weight gain and, consequently, a disruption in important body functions of the heart and digestion, worsening the condition.
Weight gain becomes the most severe issue for swelling of limbs and face. So, one should take special care about the diet.
2.7. Superior vena cava syndrome
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome is a serious condition that occurs due to problematic blood flow in the superior vena cava. The superior vena cava is a huge vein. This carries blood from the head and arms to the heart.
Medical journals of PubMed Central report headaches, neck and face skin swelling, rapid heart rate, and hoarse voice, which are symptoms of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.
Common causes for Superior Vena Cava Syndrome are cancer, specifically a lung cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
2.8. Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Nephrotic syndrome is the name provided to a kidney issue. This occurs when the kidney retains excessive protein in the urine. This causes accelerated weight gain accompanied by swelling of the face and limbs.
This is an underlying medical condition that may not cause any pain. Sometimes, it goes unnoticed in children and is later viewed in a urine test. The kids’ health organization medically reviews this.
3. How Do You Relieve Swelling in the Face?
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you think your face swelling is a matter of concern.
Here are two remedies to opt for if you have swelling due to an insect sting or an infection.
- In case of being stung by a poisonous insect, get away with the stinger immediately. Do not use tweezers in such cases. Instead, use a playing card. Firstly, pressing down on the affected skin should be followed. Secondly, the card should be moved gently towards the stinger, and it should be scooped.
- In case of a rash, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these drugs help reduce pain symptoms, burning eyes, and fever. Using a cold compress is helpful as well! It acts as a good pain medication.
4. The Takeaway
The bottom line states that it’s not just hypertension that causes swelling. Several other factors accompany it. Liver damage, bacterial infection, and other health conditions may also lead to facial swelling.
So, one should note such issues and act accordingly to prevent them. One should avoid the known allergen. One should also notify their healthcare provider if they encounter any reactions after consuming certain foods.
Last Updated on April 30, 2024 by Sunanda Basu
