A puffy, swollen face occurs when fluids have built up in the facial tissues. A number of home remedies exist for treating mild swelling of the face. Contact your health care provider if you experience severe, sudden or painful swelling, if it gets worse over time, if you experience difficulty breathing or if you have signs of infection like fever, redness or tenderness, advises the National Institutes of Health.
Water
Inadequate water intake may cause your body to start storing water as a defense mechanism. Counteract this tendency by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Stay away from diuretic liquids such as soda, coffee, tea and alcohol, which increase urination, thereby reducing the amount of water in your body. Limit your salt intake as well in order to prevent your body from retaining water.
Dandelion
Because dandelion root is an anti-inflammatory herb, it may help reduce swelling in the face, although the National Institutes of Health considers the existing scientific evidence too limited to draw any real conclusions about dandelion’s effectiveness in reducing swelling. Common doses for dandelion root are between 1 and 2 tsp. of 1:5 root tincture.
Watermelon Juice
A cool refreshing fruit drink offers an early morning energy boost as well as a means for remedying a puffy face. Cut the rind off of a slice of chilled watermelon, cut it in chunks and toss them in the blender. No need to remove the seeds. Just blend, strain, and enjoy a vitamin C boost, which should help the swelling in your face to go down quickly.
External Remedies
Apply cold compresses to reduce facial swelling. If swelling is primarily around the eyes, place two stainless steel teaspoons in the freezer for a few minutes and then hold them over your closed eyes, suggests Holistic-online.com. Or try slices of cool cucumber, which constrict the blood vessels because of its astringent properties. Simply lie down and place cucumber slices under your eyes or elsewhere on your face. Relax for about 10 minutes as you allow them to bring down the swelling. Moistened tea bags will have the same effect—just be sure to use a caffeinated variety of tea. Also try elevating your head more while sleeping. Either use extra pillows or raise the head of your bed by propping up the front legs with sturdy wooden blocks.
References
Writer Bio
Ann Wolters has been a writer, consultant and writing coach since 2008. Her work has appeared in "The Saint Paul Almanac" and in magazines such as "Inventing Tomorrow" and "Frontiers." She earned a Master of Arts in English as a second language from the University of Minnesota.