The face becomes puffy and swollen when fluid builds up in the facial tissues. There are a number of reasons for facial swelling. The National Institutes of Health recommends monitoring the swelling to report to your doctor how long it has lasted, where it is painful to the touch, what conditions exacerbate the puffiness and what other symptoms you have. Many common causes do not require medical attention, but see a doctor if home remedies don't resolve the swelling, if you have an accompanying fever or if the swelling causes sudden, severe pain.
Allergies
Facial swelling can occur when you ingest or inhale a substance to which you are allergic. Allergies are common and can be mild or severe. Facial puffiness occurs primarily around the eyes and can happen within minutes or hours of your exposure to the sensitive material. Your neck and tongue also may swell. Common allergens include pollen, pet dander, peanuts, insects and plants.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. Bacteria enters the skin through a cut or break in the skin, such as through an open wound or acne pustule. In addition to becoming puffy, the skin becomes red, itchy, hot and painful. The symptoms usually appear quickly and increase rapidly, within 24 hours. Risk factors for developing cellulitis include recent insect bites, diabetes and peripheral vascular disease. Those taking corticosteroid treatments for acne or other skin conditions also may be at risk for getting a puffy face from cellulitis.
Tooth Abscess
When a tooth becomes infected, or abscessed, it can cause facial swelling. Accumulation of pus causes the abscess, which usually is caused by a bacterial infection deep in the center of the tooth. An abscess can result from advanced tooth decay or from a chipped tooth. As the infection develops, it causes the skin around the tooth to swell. Other symptoms of a tooth abscess include fever, a bad toothache, breath odor and swelling in the neck.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a common skin condition that begins with small red bumps on the face. In the early stage of the disease, people tend to blush easily. Over time, rosacea spreads from the center of the face, over the nose and to the cheeks, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists. Spider veins often appear. Eventually, the face becomes swollen and puffy in the affected area. The oil glands expand and make the nose bigger and the cheeks puffy.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid, also referred to as hypothyroidism, causes puffiness in the face. The disease is a result of low production of certain hormones and usually strikes women older than 50, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms increase over a long period of time and also include fatigue, pain and stiffness, constipation, muscle weakness and unexplained weight gain.
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