Facial swelling can range from mild to severe and can be caused by a wide variety of factors, according to Medline Plus. If you experience a puffy face in the mornings over a long period of time, consider seeing a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss your treatment options.
Appearance
If your face is puffy in the mornings, you may notice mild swelling in your facial tissues, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Facial puffiness can be subtle, making it difficult to notice at times. Sometimes facial puffiness spreads to the neck and arms. Facial swelling may be accompanied by pain in some cases.
Possible Causes
A wide range of conditions can cause facial puffiness, according to Medline Plus. Your face could be puffy in the mornings as a result of sinusitis or allergies. Facial puffiness can also be caused by styes, a facial injury, a tooth abscess or conjunctivitis. Swollen facial tissue can also occur as a side effect to certain medications, blood transfusions or surgeries.
Treatments
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends applying cold compresses and raising your head on pillows when you sleep to reduce facial puffiness following an injury. If your facial puffiness is not caused by a serious injury or illness, Cosmopolitan magazine recommends massaging your face with cold cucumber slices to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Warning
If your facial puffiness comes on suddenly or gets worse over time, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends seeing a doctor. If you have difficulty breathing or a fever accompanied by facial puffiness, see a doctor quickly. Fever and breathing problems along with swelling could be signs of infection or severe allergic reaction.
Considerations
Facial swelling is a common side effect that women experience during pregnancy, according to MayoClinic.com. If you wake up with a puffy face while you are pregnant, you can blame fluid retention and dilated blood vessels for the puffiness. You can reduce the appearance of facial puffiness during pregnancy by applying cold compresses to the affected areas. If you continue to experience swelling while pregnant, talk to your doctor to make sure it's not a sign of a more serious condition, according to MayoClinic.com.
