This chart helps distinguish various types of
swelling on the face.
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SYMPTOMS |
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DIAGNOSIS |
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SELF-CARE |
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| 1. Is there a
painless, soft to firm lump on the top of your
head or the nape of your neck? |
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This may be a
SEBACEOUS CYST, a collection of oil under the
skin. These may be small cysts that grow slowly
and remain for years. |
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Be careful not to
scrape the lump with a comb. It could become
infected. See your doctor if the cyst becomes
painful. |
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| 2. Do you have
swelling of the lips with or without a
"mosquito-bite" rash (hives)? |
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ALLERGIC REACTIONS
or HIVES can cause this type of swelling. |
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EMERGENCY
If you become short of breath, your throat
becomes tight, or the swelling becomes very bad,
seek medical attention right away. |
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| 3. Do you have
painful swelling or small, painful bumps on your
forehead or face? |
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These may be
infections of the skin such as CARBUNCLES, BOILS
or
ACNE. |
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Use acne medicines
for acne. Use warm compresses for boils. Call
your doctor if they don't come to a head, open
by themselves and drain, or if the redness
spreads. |
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| 4. Do you have red,
scaling, oily areas near the scalp, in the folds
of the nose, or on the skin of the cheeks? |
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Your rash may be a
skin irritation caused by ACNE
ROSACEA or SEBORRHEA. |
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See your doctor. |
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| 5. Do you have
swelling near one or both ears, on top of and
behind the jaw, and do you have fever, aches,
sore throat and tiredness? |
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You may have the
MUMPS. |
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See your doctor. |
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| 6. Have you had a
scar or pierced ear that seemed to grow too
much? |
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You may have a
KELOID, an excessive growth of scar tissue. |
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See your doctor. |
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| For more information, please
consult your doctor. If you think the problem is
serious, call right away. |
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