From time to time my face swells up. It's always just one side of my face on my cheek near my jaw. It almost looks likes the mumps. Is this an allergic reaction?
It could be a condition called angioedema. Some types of angioedema are allergic and others are not. Angioedema shows up as dramatic swelling that happens unpredictably, commonly affecting the face, ears, hands or feet, or genitals. It usually doesn’t hurt, although the skin can feel tight, and it lasts several days and then goes away, leaving no marks behind on the skin. It can begin at any point in life.
Some medicines can trigger angioedema, such as over-the-counter pain relievers (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, but usually not acetaminophen). In contrast, allergies to foods and things you breathe rarely cause swelling like this. The blood pressure drugs called ACE inhibitors can cause angioedema, but the swelling usually involves the tongue or sometimes the lips, but rarely other parts of the face.
Some types of angioedema run in families, such as a condition called hereditary angioedema. This problem is not an allergy, but rather a lack of or a malfunctioning of a blood protein. People with this problem get episodes of swelling affecting the skin, the intestines (causing unexplained and recurrent abdominal pain that goes away in a few days), and/or the throat (which can be very dangerous and cause the airway to swell shut).
There are other problems that might cause swelling near the jaw line, although the swelling would probably look and feel a bit different from angioedema. These problems include blockage (by a little stone) or infection of a salivary gland. This usually, but not always, causes painful swelling. Also, I think you would be able to tell that the problem was related to eating, as it might be aggravated by eating or thinking about eating, times when the production of saliva is greatest. Another possible cause is a swollen lymph node, which can swell if you have an infection somewhere in your sinuses or ears. A lymph node would be tender, and feel like a rubbery lump.
Next time you have the swelling, take a picture of it. If it keeps happening, you should see a doctor, and you’ll be able to show him/her what you’re talking about if the swelling is not present on the day of your appointment. A photograph can save an enormous amount of time for both the patient and the provider. Most digital cameras have a close-up setting for taking clear images of things within a few feet of the lens.
Last Updated: 6/28/2010