Woken up with a massively swollen face - what do you think has caused it?

[GreenAlien]

I'm away for work this week, arrived Sunday night and fly back Thursday.

I do get hayfever normally and have a history of having allergic reactions in spring because of grass pollen but never in winter.

Yesterday my face was a bit red and swollen but only on my cheeks and I thought maybe it was a bit of rosacea. I haven't been diagnosed with it but it runs in my family and I'm doing a fair amount of public speaking so that made my face flush and I thought that was it.

I've gone to bed last night and woken up with my eyes swollen and puffy, my face is absolutely bright red from my forehead down to my chin and I have a red rash (not hives) on my chest. I've been lying under a cold flannel for the last hour because my face feels like it is on fire.

I have googled and have a pharmacy a 6 mins walk away that opens at 8am so I will go and grab some antihistamines but does it sound like an allergic reaction?

I'm wondering whether the pillows have duck feathers or something and it's bothered me. I genuinely can't think what else it could be. Is there any other condition that suddenly makes your face look like a tomato 😂

How worrying

Hope you feel better soon

If you’re in a hotel and it happened overnight, I’d say most likely it’s the sheets.

I bring two layers of bedding to put over the bed to make sure I don’t touch the hotel sheets. Then I pop a couple of prescription antihistamines to get through just being in the room and sleep in a silk sleep sack. If any part of my body gets out in the night, it will be red and swollen in the morning. The reaction can last for weeks without intervention.

Eye and lip swelling could also just be from someone you were near during your travels. People are drenched in all sorts of airborne allergens and they don’t even realize it (or care) .

That sounds very difficult for you @Ponderingwindow. Are the detergents in the linen an especial problem or is it more than that?

Hope you continue to improve OP 💐

The steroids worked for about 6 or 7 hours but I woke up at 3am and the swelling started again. It's nowhere near as bad as it was the first time round. I have 2 doses left of the steroids left - so I've taken one now and I'll leave one for tomorrow and I've taken more antihistamines.

I just need to hold on till Thursday as I fly back in the evening and then, completely coincidentally, I have an appointment with an ENT consultant on Friday back home so if anything is majorly wrong, I will be seeing a doctor anyway. I just need to get to that point.

I still don't feel unwell - no temperature I don't think - but having swelling for this long is now tiring and I just can't wait to get home!

If it is any worse this evening, I think I will have to go to the hospital fgs. I'm just not entirely sure it is an allergic reaction but surely if it was cellulitis or anything relating to my sinuses, wouldn't I feel worse?

Poor you. Are you able to ask for anti-allergy/non feather bedding from the hotel?

They changed all the bedding thanks - I definitely feel more comfortable with the non feather stuff

Can you change hotel or go home early? Given the timings I suspect it is something in the hotel room.

Rather annoyingly my 2 big speaking slots are today and tomorrow. I just looked at the prednisone and it says that even though it does work quickly, that it can take a few days before you feel better.

I will make a call tonight as to whether I try and go home early - I also don't want to fly until I am sure this is under control so I would rather give it another day to improve (though I do realise it could get worse in that time!).

Have you recently had a vaccine?
Just trying to rule out an autoimmune response.

No injections.

Comparing photos, I look a lot better than yesterday. The burning red has gone, I'm not as puffy but there is still swelling there around my eyes. Maybe I am just being impatient!

I will go and actually see a doctor tonight if I haven't improved. My main worry is that this isn't an allergic reaction and it's in some way related to my sinuses (have had issues with them which is why I have the ENT referral) which would of course be serious but I just can't help but think I would be more ill.

Sorry to be repetitive, but PLEASE ask about peri-orbital cellulitis: this is very dangerous if missed.

Thanks - I have left a message with a doctor that will actually come out and see me. First online doctor was less concerned about cellulitis as it's over both eyes but now it's persisting, they need to rethink (and I'm going to the ent on Friday if I make it back because I've had sinus issues over the last year or so).

@whyhere appointment at 945 and will ask about it :)

This much swelling needs to be taken seriously,glad you're being seen .

They have given me doxycycline plus the highest dose of steroids possible as they are working (the steroids).

They think it's a sinus infection gone wrong but she said doxycycline covers peri orbital cellulitis anyway even if it is that - should see improvement in 48 hours, if not I'm seeing the ENT on Friday anyway and he can cover it off. If I get worse then A and E

Great update, hopefully it will settle now.

It's so frustrating. I've had long covid since 2023 and I was just starting to feel better!!

@GreenAlien Do you still have the hive-like rash? I had a very very similar experience at the start of the year which went on for about 8 days and they couldn’t get it under control. I actually woke up one day with a swollen face and eyes and the next day I had lots of swelling in my mouth etc too.
After blood work etc they discovered that I had an undiagnosed autoimmune thyroid disorder and my body had basically gone into overdrive.

Glad you have got some treatment hopefully it works. Just a tip on the steroids (if they didn’t tell you), but take them in the morning after you’ve eaten, otherwise they can give you insomnia. I’m currently on a course of 40mg a day for a week and find I have trouble sleeping even taking them in the morning. They also give me indigestion so I always take an anti indigestion tablet (over the counter one), daily too.

Also take the Doxycycline with a full glass of water and make sure you stay upright for at least 30 mins after taking them as they can make you feel sick otherwise.

If you are that swollen the language barrier wouldn't be an issue as you could just point to your face?! I did that in Spain before with a toothache. But definitely go and get antihistamines. Maybe hydrocortisone cream as well? Hotels don't usually use feathered pillows, you'd be able to tell by the way the feel if it's that. Hopefully once your out of the hotel it will improve.

Have you dyed your hair recently?

It may be persisting because you are still in contact with the allergen. You might find once you get home it subsides.

I don't think it's an allergy. I do think it is periorbital cellulitis or a sinusitis infection that was about to turn into that. Thanks to @whyhere and @NorthernGirlie who tipped me off on it.

The antihistamines did nothing and I took 3 different types.

I'm now on max dose steroids and antibiotics. Just need to stay well enough to fly back tomorrow and Friday I'm at the hospital with the ENT so if the treatment needs to change he can look at it.

@Seaside31 I will also ask about that as long Covid has triggered all sorts of odd things!

Thanks for the tips on the steroids and doxycycline

They are making me feel a bit nauseous so I will make sure I eat enough with them!