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Original poster

Sudden unexplained facial swelling

25 replies

Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 16:09

Has this happened to anybody else?

I woke up this morning and the right side of my face is all puffy and swollen. It feels warm and like the skin is a bit stretched.
I've not eaten or used anything different.
I've felt very tired and off colour for a few days. I have quite an.upset stomach today.
But I'm not sure how that would cause my face to swell?

OP posts:
UncommonSense · 08/03/2015 16:10

Is it painful? My money is on a tooth abscess.

DontDrinkandFacebook · 08/03/2015 16:14

If it's hot and stretched there is infection in there somewhere. I have no idea whether it could be serious or not, but why are you asking on here, instead of getting yourself straight to the nearest walk-in centre?

You don't want it to go overnight in case it turns into something really painful and nasty do you?

BlackNoSugar · 08/03/2015 16:14

Most likely to be either an infection or an allergy. Sinisitis or a tooth abscess can cause this but you'd probably have other symptoms too - what kind of 'off colour' do you feel? Sort of coming-down-with-a-cold?

DontDrinkandFacebook · 08/03/2015 16:15

yes I as thinking tooth/gum abcsess as well. You REALLY don't want to go overnight with that festering and no antibiotics to hand.

Clobbered · 08/03/2015 16:17

Upset stomach and feeling tired and off colour could all be part of an infection that is becoming more widespread. Please get yourself seen today.

WhatsGoingOnEh · 08/03/2015 16:18

I was thinking tooth abscess too.

Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 16:19

No pain at all. I have just felt very tired with nausea and stomach cramps.

OP posts:
Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 16:21

It's just occurred to me that I do have an ear infection that hasn't responded to treatment with an antibiotic spray. I'm waiting to see the Gp but the soonest they can see me is next Saturday.

OP posts:
FuzzyWizard · 08/03/2015 16:22

Do you have any history of unexplained stomach upsets or swellings in other parts of your body? If you do perhaps look into the possibility of HAE. It's very rare and often diagnosis is missed without a family history of the condition.

BlackNoSugar · 08/03/2015 16:26

It certainly sounds like the ear infection has taken a nasty turn. Do you have a walk-in centre near you? I'd go today if you could. Otherwise phone your GP first thing for an emergency appointment tomorrow, but I wouldn't wait that long.

Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 16:27

I used to suffer from ibs so yes to the upset stomach question.
I had a swollen eye 2 weeks ago but that was conjunctivitis. No other mystery swellings.

OP posts:
caryam · 08/03/2015 16:28

Yes I have had this a few times. Been to Dr and Dentist and nobody could find anything wrong.

Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 16:29

I'm looking for a walk in centre now. The swelling is on the other side to the infected ear so I hadn't connected the two.
This did actually happen once before when I had a virus. I thought it was an allergic reaction to night nurse that time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 16:30

Always when you were ill caryam?

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 08/03/2015 16:31

This happened to somebody I know. It was a gum abscess. I don't think you can wait nearly a week to see a doctor.

caryam · 08/03/2015 16:31

I always felt ill. But no other real symptoms except a bit of redness in my cheeks.

Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 16:36

Wouldn't I have tooth pain with an access?

OP posts:
DontDrinkandFacebook · 08/03/2015 16:38

You are very lucky if you hsve no localised pain but the infection could make you extremely ill with flu like symptoms so I would not ignore it just because of a lack of pain so far.

BlackNoSugar · 08/03/2015 16:48

A dental abscess can cause ear pain - I thnk it's called referred pain or something like that. Could the doctor actually see your eardrum was inflamed or did he give you the ab spray because of ear pain?

Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 16:59

Gp said he saw pus in my ear hence the spray.
Nearest walk in to me is 6 miles away so I've taken a piriton to see if it helps.

OP posts:
Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 17:01

I really don't think it's an abcess. I've no dental pain or gum swelling at all. Also no ear pain with the infection just a strange sensation. The pain only developed after a few days of treatment and was only when I used the spray.

OP posts:
WhatsGoingOnEh · 08/03/2015 17:22

Some dental abscesses are painless. I have a painless one right now!

Original poster
Confusedhousehunter · 08/03/2015 17:35

What symptoms do you have?

OP posts:
WhatsGoingOnEh · 08/03/2015 18:47

A lump on my gum. I know you say you haven't got one, but have you really rooted around? My lump is up really high, I only found it by accident, God knows how long it'd been there.

And a horrible bitter taste in my mouth occasionally. Really bitter, like earwax!

WhatsGoingOnEh · 08/03/2015 18:53

My mum discovered her abscess when her face swelled up. Her lump was right up high, actually inside her nose.

Just go to the dentist for an x-Ray to make sure.

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