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What Causes One Sided Swelling On The Face?
Question: I am 78 year old male. Periodically I get a swelling of the face on one side, with swelling of the lower lip on one side only. It's always on the same side, and is not painful, only uncomfortable. My tongue is not swollen and I do not have difficulty swallowing. This usually lasts for a few days. What can be causing this?
Brief Answer:
Not allergic. Facial muscles massage to improve circulation should help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Looking at the symptoms and swelling being present only superficially, it appears to be a dependent edema. However, as it is present on the same side, allergic cause can be ruled out. As there is not difficulty in swallowing or tongue swollen or any itching, allergic cause is definitely ruled out.
2. Possibilities include mild obstruction in circulation due to pressure on blood vessels or neural inactivity.
3. Massage of the face muscles on the side affected to improve blood circulation along with Vitamin B-complex supplements should help in improving overall vascular and neural activity.
4. Avoid sleeping on the side, which is usually affected. No need to continue with loratidine, as it is not of allergic cause.
5. Get a serum and urine protein done to rule out any systemic cause of edema. Doubtful it would be affected, however, common causes need to be ruled out. Hopefully, there is no superficial injury - like severe rubbing with pillow during sleep.
Watch for any new symptoms, if any.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Not allergic. Facial muscles massage to improve circulation should help.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Based on your query, my opinion is as follows:
1. Looking at the symptoms and swelling being present only superficially, it appears to be a dependent edema. However, as it is present on the same side, allergic cause can be ruled out. As there is not difficulty in swallowing or tongue swollen or any itching, allergic cause is definitely ruled out.
2. Possibilities include mild obstruction in circulation due to pressure on blood vessels or neural inactivity.
3. Massage of the face muscles on the side affected to improve blood circulation along with Vitamin B-complex supplements should help in improving overall vascular and neural activity.
4. Avoid sleeping on the side, which is usually affected. No need to continue with loratidine, as it is not of allergic cause.
5. Get a serum and urine protein done to rule out any systemic cause of edema. Doubtful it would be affected, however, common causes need to be ruled out. Hopefully, there is no superficial injury - like severe rubbing with pillow during sleep.
Watch for any new symptoms, if any.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, here to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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