How to Reduce Swelling on Face Due to Injury? (5 Common Techniques)
Facial swelling can be an indication of different medical conditions. Distinguishing the possible reason for the swelling helps identify the most proper treatment. So, if you have facial swelling because of dental trauma, try this clinic to get the treatment you need. Most of the time, facial swelling can go from minor, easily treatable issues to more severe conditions requiring earnest immediate medical consideration. Keep reading to learn how to reduce swelling on the face due to injury, allergy, surgery, and right after you wake up.
What Causes Facial Swelling?
Inflammation is the human body’s usual response to the virus, bacteria, and other foreign objects. The white blood cells in your body release chemicals into your circulatory system, which increases blood flow to the affected part. So, if you notice you have a swollen face after an event the previous night, you can tell that it is because of the alcohol. Consuming too much alcohol, salty foods, pregnancy, stress, hormones, hypothyroidism, and some allergies can all lead to facial swelling indications such as:
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Redness
- Pain
- Immobility in some cases
Additionally, you can have a swollen face after getting facial surgery or encountering an accident that affects your face. In fact, a facial injury can also influence essential parts like your nose and mouth. This condition can make more uncomfortable symptoms, such as severe trouble breathing, eating, and speaking.
Different Types of Facial Swelling and How to Reduce Them
There are different treatments to reduce facial swelling. The approach will depend on the causative factors of the swelling. In any case, here are the common types of facial swelling and their treatment choices:
Reduce Swelling In The Morning
If you have a puffy face right after you wake up in the morning, try one of these remedies:
- Washing your face with cold water is effective at reducing swelling.
- Placing cold cucumber slices on the swollen areas of your face.
- Applying ice packs and keeping yourself hydrated will help remove toxins and excess salts from your body.
Reduce Swelling Due To An Allergy
Facial swelling because of a severe allergic reaction can be alarming if the air passages swell up. In fact, this is a life-threatening situation that needs immediate medical attention. But if you have mild pain, swelling, or a rash, it is acceptable to take an antihistamine and use an ice or cold pack.
Nevertheless, if the swelling and pain get worse or there is no improvement, then, in that case, you have to see a doctor as early as possible. Your doctor may prescribe you steroids, depending on the reason for your condition.
Reduce Swelling Due To A Surgery
Swelling after surgery is very different from other causes of inflammation. This condition can require at least a few days to subside the swelling. Most of the time, applying an ice or cold pack on your face can help reduce facial swelling after surgery.
Your doctor will probably have a particular instruction for you to follow. However, generally, you can use ice to the swollen part for 10 to 20 minutes at least three times a day, depending on your tolerance.
Moreover, the kind and degree of any jaw surgery you are recovering from can likewise tell how long generalized facial swelling lasts.
Reduce Swelling Due To Injuries
Facial head injuries generally require a doctor’s intervention. Suppose it affects the condition of your mouth. In that case, you should find a reliable dental clinic to get proper treatment for your situation. If it is a head injury, you need to get a medical checkup to accurately diagnose and provide early treatment.
Most of the time, your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory medicines. As first aid, you can usually apply ice on your facial swelling. In any case, it is better to consult your doctor first before treating your condition with OTC anti-inflammatory drugs.
Five Common Remedies To Reduce Swelling After An Injury
There are a few strategies you can use to help manage the body’s natural inflammatory response. Try any or all of these five options to help control pain and reduce swelling:
Rest
When you have an injury, getting more rest is necessary. Using an injured body part might increase blood flow and irritate damaged cells to that area, which can cause more swelling. Even though it might be tempting to proceed with regular activity after a trauma, it is always better to rest the affected part for at least a couple of days.
Cold Therapy
Applying cold right after an injury lessens swelling by restricting blood flow to the affected part and reducing cellular metabolism. You can utilize cold therapy systems, such as ice packs or ice baths to deliver chilliness to the influenced region. In any case, apply cold a few times each day for 20-30 minutes to help reduce swelling, particularly in the first few days after an injury.
Elevation
Elevating the affected area over the heart level likewise reduced blood flow, implying more minor swelling. For facial swelling, you can add an extra pillow when getting rest. While for leg injuries, it is crucial to maintain the legs elevated while reclining or seated so that additional fluid is not permitted to gather around the injury. Generally, adding soft pillows as props can make this process more comfortable.
Compression
Placing pressure on an injury helps reduce swelling by limiting the blood supply and other fluids in the body. You can use compression with elastic bandages, static bandages, or cold and compression gadgets. As swelling increases and decreases, you need to adjust the bandages appropriately.
Medication
Lastly, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce swelling and control the pain of an injury. If facial swelling causes severe pain, try Available Dental Care Campbelltown’s services. They may help you determine the underlying cause and prescribe more vital medication. However, keep in mind to follow doctor’s instructions and dosage guidelines to keep your condition safe and healthy.
References:
What is an inflammation?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279298/
Anaphylaxis.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anaphylaxis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351468
How to Properly Ice an Injury.