Facial Problems, Noninjury

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Signs of moderate to severe difficulty breathing:
  • In a child
  • In an adult and older child
• Signs of shock
  • In children
  • In adults and older children
• Symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives with difficulty breathing or rapid swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, or face
• Sudden weakness, numbness, paralysis, or drooping of facial muscles with other loss of function
• Facial or jaw pain with chest pain (crushing or squeezing or feels like a heavy weight on the chest) and other symptoms of a heart attack
• Sudden partial or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes. Note: Treatment is needed within 90 minutes to save vision.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Possible allergic reaction: Go to the topic Allergic Reaction.
• An injury to your face: Go to the topics Facial Injuries, Nose Injuries, or Eye Injuries.
• A headache: Go to the topic Headaches.
• Facial pain or swelling following a burn, sunburn, or exposure to cold temperature: Go to the topics Burns, Sunburn, or Cold Temperature Exposure.
• A rash: Go to the topic Rash, Age 12 and Older.

Yes	Do you have any vision changes?
Yes	Do you have changes in feeling or sensation in your face, but you do not have other loss of function?
Yes	Do you have facial pain?
Yes	Do you have facial swelling?
Yes	Do you have sinus pain or pressure?
Yes	Do you continue to have facial symptoms despite treatment with antibiotics?
Yes	Do you have a rash or blisters on the face?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Dental or mouth problems: Go to the topic Mouth Problems, Noninjury.
• Jaw problems: Go to the topic Temporomandibular (TM) Disorders.
• A painful facial lump: Go to the topic Swollen Glands and Other Lumps Under the Skin.
• An insect or spider bite or sting: Go to the topic Insect Bites and Stings and Spider Bites.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: May 15, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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