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Facial problems can be caused by a minor problem or a serious condition. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, or facial weakness or numbness. You may feel these symptoms in your teeth, jaw, tongue, ear, sinuses, eyes, salivary glands, blood vessels, or nerves.
Common causes of facial problems include infection, conditions that affect the skin of the face, and other diseases.
Infections
Infections that can cause facial problems include:
Bacterial infections. Examples ares impetigo and cellulitis. They can cause facial pain and blisters or sores that ooze.
Viral infections such as shingles. These may affect nerves in the face or head. They can cause severe facial pain or eye problems (keratitis).
An infected or blocked salivary gland or a salivary stone (sialolithiasis). These may cause facial swelling or pain, especially in the parotid gland (parotitis). This gland is located near the ear.
Lyme disease. This is an infection that's spread by the bite of ticks infected with bacteria. It may cause facial pain, a headache, a stiff neck, or paralysis of the facial nerves.
Skin conditions
Skin conditions that can cause facial problems include:
Rosacea. This is a chronic skin condition. It causes redness on the face, usually on the cheeks, nose, chin, or forehead.
Acne. It often occurs on the face, especially in teens and young adults.
Seborrheic dermatitis. It causes red, itchy, flaky skin patches along the eyebrows, nose, and mouth.
Other conditions and diseases
Facial problems can be caused by other conditions, such as:
Sinusitis. It causes a feeling of pressure over the facial sinuses. Sinusitis can follow a cold, or it may be caused by hay fever, asthma, or air pollution. It's more common in adults. But it can occur in children as an ongoing (chronic) stuffy nose.
Dental problems, including infections. They can cause facial pain and swelling in and around the jaw area. Jaw pain may be caused by a temporomandibular (TM) disorder. This condition can cause pain in the TM joint (located in front of the ear), in the ear, or above the ear.
Headaches, such as migraines or cluster headaches. They can cause severe pain around the eyes, in the temple, or over the forehead. Giant cell arteritis most often affects older adults and may cause a headache and pain. It may lead to blindness if not treated.
Trigeminal neuralgia. This is a condition that causes one of the facial nerves to be stimulated too much. It causes episodes of shooting facial pain.
Closed-angle glaucoma. It causes vision changes and severe, aching pain in or behind the eye.
Lupus. It causes inflammation, fatigue, and a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks.
Conditions that cause problems with the muscles or nerves in the face. They include:
Bell's palsy. This is caused by paralysis of the facial nerve. Weak and sagging muscles on one side of the face is the most common symptom. You may not be able to close one eye, and you may have mild pain in the facial muscles.
Multiple sclerosis. It may affect facial muscle control and strength, affect vision, and cause changes in feeling or sensation.
Myasthenia gravis. It causes facial muscle weakness leading to drooping eyelids and trouble talking, chewing, swallowing, or breathing.
Treatment depends on what is causing your facial problem. In many cases, home treatment may be all that's needed to relieve your symptoms.
Check Your Symptoms
Do you have a facial problem?
Yes
Facial problem
No
Facial problem
How old are you?
Less than 4 years
Less than 4 years
4 years or older
4 years or older
Are you male or female?
Male
Male
Female
Female
The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.
If you are transgender or nonbinary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.
Have you had a head injury in the past 24 hours?
Yes
Head injury in past 24 hours
No
Head injury in past 24 hours
Have you had an injury to your face in the past 2 weeks?
These could include vision loss, double vision, or new trouble seeing clearly.
Yes
New vision changes
No
New vision changes
Did you have a sudden loss of vision?
A loss of vision means that you cannot see out of the eye or out of some part of the eye. The vision in that area is gone.
Yes
Sudden vision loss
No
Sudden vision loss
Do you still have vision loss?
Yes
Vision loss still present
No
Vision loss still present
Did the vision loss occur within the past day?
Yes
Vision loss occurred in the past day
No
Vision loss occurred in the past day
Have you had any changes in feeling or movement in your face?
Changes could include weakness or loss of movement in part of the face, numbness or tingling, facial drooping, or trouble closing an eye.
Yes
Changes in feeling or movement in face
No
Changes in feeling or movement in face
Do you have blisters on your forehead, eyelid, or nose?
Blisters in this area may be a sign of shingles and may cause serious eye problems.
Yes
Blisters near eye
No
Blisters near eye
Is there any swelling in your face?
Yes
Facial swelling
No
Facial swelling
Was the swelling sudden?
Yes
Facial swelling was sudden
No
Facial swelling was sudden
Do you think the eyelid or the skin around the eye may be infected?
Symptoms could include redness, pus, increasing pain, or a lot of swelling. (A small bump or pimple on the eyelid, called a stye, usually is not a problem.) You might also have a fever.
Yes
Symptoms of infection around eye
No
Symptoms of infection around eye
Do you have any pain in your face?
Yes
Facial pain
No
Facial pain
How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine?
"Hardware" in the facial area includes things like cochlear implants or any plates under the skin, such as those used if the bones in the face are broken.
Yes
Diabetes, immune problems, or surgical hardware in affected area
No
Diabetes, immune problems, or surgical hardware in affected area
Have you had thick, yellow discharge from your nose for more than 5 days that is not getting better?
This may mean you have a sinus infection.
Yes
Nasal discharge more than 5 days not getting better
No
Nasal discharge more than 5 days not getting better
Do you have a rash or any blisters on your face?
Yes
Rash or blisters on face
No
Rash or blisters on face
Do you think that a medicine may be causing the facial problem?
Think about whether the symptoms started soon after you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine.
Yes
Medicine may be causing facial symptoms
No
Medicine may be causing facial symptoms
Have your symptoms lasted longer than 1 week?
Yes
Symptoms have lasted longer than 1 week
No
Symptoms have lasted longer than 1 week
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, herbal remedies, or supplements can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.
Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:
You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk (mild difficulty breathing), or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all (severe difficulty breathing).
It may be getting hard to breathe with activity (mild difficulty breathing), or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you’re at rest (severe difficulty breathing).
Severe trouble breathing means:
You cannot talk at all.
You have to work very hard to breathe.
You feel like you can't get enough air.
You do not feel alert or cannot think clearly.
Moderate trouble breathing means:
It's hard to talk in full sentences.
It's hard to breathe with activity.
Mild trouble breathing means:
You feel a little out of breath but can still talk.
It's becoming hard to breathe with activity.
Severe trouble breathing means:
The child cannot eat or talk because he or she is breathing so hard.
The child's nostrils are flaring and the belly is moving in and out with every breath.
The child seems to be tiring out.
The child seems very sleepy or confused.
Moderate trouble breathing means:
The child is breathing a lot faster than usual.
The child has to take breaks from eating or talking to breathe.
The nostrils flare or the belly moves in and out at times when the child breathes.
Mild trouble breathing means:
The child is breathing a little faster than usual.
The child seems a little out of breath but can still eat or talk.
Pain in adults and older children
Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that you can't stand it for more than a few hours, can't sleep, and can't do anything else except focus on the pain.
Moderate pain (5 to 7): The pain is bad enough to disrupt your normal activities and your sleep, but you can tolerate it for hours or days. Moderate can also mean pain that comes and goes even if it's severe when it's there.
Mild pain (1 to 4): You notice the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt your sleep or activities.
Pain in children under 3 years
It can be hard to tell how much pain a baby or toddler is in.
Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that the baby cannot sleep, cannot get comfortable, and cries constantly no matter what you do. The baby may kick, make fists, or grimace.
Moderate pain (5 to 7): The baby is very fussy, clings to you a lot, and may have trouble sleeping but responds when you try to comfort him or her.
Mild pain (1 to 4): The baby is a little fussy and clings to you a little but responds when you try to comfort him or her.
Symptoms of infection may include:
Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area.
Red streaks leading from the area.
Pus draining from the area.
A fever.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) may include:
The sudden appearance of raised, red areas (hives) all over the body.
Rapid swelling of the throat, mouth, or tongue.
Trouble breathing.
Passing out (losing consciousness). Or you may feel very lightheaded or suddenly feel weak, confused, or restless.
A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat any symptoms as an emergency. Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may quickly become very severe.
Symptoms of a stroke may include:
Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
Sudden vision changes.
Sudden trouble speaking.
Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
Sudden problems with walking or balance.
A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur after a sudden illness or injury.
Adults and older children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:
Passing out (losing consciousness).
Feeling very dizzy or lightheaded, like you may pass out.
Feeling very weak or having trouble standing.
Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury.
Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:
Passing out (losing consciousness).
Being very sleepy or hard to wake up.
Not responding when being touched or talked to.
Breathing much faster than usual.
Acting confused. The child may not know where he or she is.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:
Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
Long-term alcohol and drug problems.
Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease.
Medicines taken after organ transplant.
Not having a spleen.
Symptoms of a heart attack may include:
Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
Sweating.
Shortness of breath.
Nausea or vomiting.
Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.
Lightheadedness or sudden weakness.
A fast or irregular heartbeat.
For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.
Seek Care Today
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Call 911 Now
Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call 911 or other emergency services now.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
Make an Appointment
Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
After you call 911, the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength (325 mg) or 2 to 4 low-dose (81 mg) aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
Facial Injuries
Head Injury, Age 4 and Older
Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger
Self-Care
Try the following tips to help relieve facial or sinus pressure, mild headaches, or nasal stuffiness.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Extra fluids help keep mucus thin and draining. This may help prevent blockage of the sinuses.
Humidify.
Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist. Follow the directions for cleaning the machine.
Breathe moist air.
Inhale steam from a vaporizer, or take long, steamy showers. You may also try breathing the moist air from a bowl of hot water. Put a towel over your head and the bowl to trap the moist air. Make sure that the water isn't too hot. Be careful not to get burned by the hot water or steam.
Try salt water.
Saltwater nasal washes help keep the nasal passages open and wash out mucus and allergens. People who have postnasal drip and are age 6 and older can gargle often with warm salt water to help prevent a sore throat. Use 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) salt mixed in 1 cup (250 mL) warm water.
Try warm compresses.
Put warm, wet compresses on your eyes and cheekbones if you have pain around that area. Washcloths dipped in hot water work well. Make sure that the water isn't too hot so you don't get burned.
Avoid alcohol.
It makes the tissues lining your nose and sinuses swell up.
Avoid chlorine.
Don't swim in chlorinated swimming pools. Chlorine can irritate nasal and sinus linings.
Elevate your head at night.
Some people find it helpful to sleep on 2 or 3 pillows.
Decongestants may not be safe for young children or for people who have certain health problems. Before you use them, check the label. If you do use these medicines, always follow the directions about how much to use based on age and, in some cases, weight.
Don't use a nasal decongestant longer than the label says. Continued use may lead to a rebound effect. This causes the mucous membranes to become more swollen than they were before you started to use the spray.
Check with your doctor before you use nonprescription medicines if you have high blood pressure or kidney disease.
Avoid tobacco.
Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair.
When to call for help during self-care
Call a doctor if any of the following occur during self-care at home:
New or worse changes in vision, such as double vision or blurring.
New or worse pain or swelling.
New or worse numbness or tingling.
New or worse signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, pus, or a fever.
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.
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