The meaning of the word "puffiness"

The effect of the disease on the body

Puffiness of the face is a disease if it causes other destructive processes, for example, the formation of blood clots in the subcutaneous capillaries or the appearance of age spots on the skin of the face. The systematic manifestation of puffiness is a pathology. Short-term, non-systematic edema is called a condition.

If the cause of puffiness is not a concomitant disease, the swelling goes through the following stages of development:

1. State.
2. Pathology.
3. Disease.

Puffiness as a condition is manifested by slight swelling, mainly under the eyes, and does not have a detrimental effect on the vessels of the face. As a rule, the condition occurs due to lack of sleep, fatigue, and abuse of alcoholic beverages.

Puffiness as a pathology has a systematic nature of manifestations and is a consequence of vascular fragility, glaucoma, hydrocephalus of the brain (dropsy), cardiovascular diseases, and thyroid dysfunction.

Puffiness as a disease, as a rule, is an advanced pathology, the consequences of which are: kidney disease; disturbance of metabolic processes in the body, mainly disturbance of calcium and potassium metabolism. The disease is characterized by a stable characteristic. The puffiness lasts throughout the day.

If the cause of puffiness is heart disease, then severe swelling occurs from the eyes to the chin, mainly in the morning.

Puffiness as a pathology or disease can lead to regular headaches, loss of vision, partial or complete loss of hearing, rupture of blood vessels, disruption of the innervation of the masticatory and facial muscles, and disruption of oxygen transport to the roots of the teeth.

Pastiness as a signal of internal diseases

Puffiness of the face is always associated with certain internal disorders in the functioning of individual organs or entire systems. All disorders can be divided into several groups. Pathological deviations in the functioning of entire systems and chronic diseases:

• disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• deviations in the activity of the genitourinary system;
• dysfunction of the nervous system;
• metabolic disease.

The appearance of puffiness is associated with diseases of individual organs:

• infections in the nasopharynx: rhinitis and sinusitis will cause swelling in the facial area;
• liver diseases;
• hypertension;
• allergies;
• osteochondrosis;
• infection with worms;
• oncological diseases.

Sometimes an incorrect lifestyle leads to the accumulation of fluid in tissues:

• poor, unbalanced food;
• lack of vitamins and minerals;
• passion for alcohol;
• uncontrolled consumption of energy drinks;
• sedentary work.

There are reasons that lead to facial swelling only in women. These include:

• hormonal disorders associated with the menstrual cycle;
• low quality cosmetics.

Swelling around the eyes is a common problem for people over the age of 35. Some medications can cause puffiness. Sometimes pastiness is associated with the structure of skin cells. Such features are a hereditary characteristic of an individual. Diagnostics of the whole organism will help determine what kind of abnormality in the functioning of the body the puffiness is caused by.

We recommend additional reading: How to quickly remove swelling from the face with diuretics at home

Puffiness of the face appears in the morning and may be a consequence of excessive consumption of salty and spicy foods. Drinking a lot of water in the evening will also lead to puffiness in the morning. The harm of smoking has been proven for a long time. Nicotine has a negative effect on blood vessels:

• leads to spasms;
• reduces strength;
• destroys vitamin C.

All these are the reasons for increased vascular permeability and puffiness of the face.

Causes of facial puffiness

Puffiness of the face, the causes of which are the result of an incorrect tilt of the head, an uncomfortable position in sleep, are short-term phenomena that do not require treatment.

Kidney problems are one of the causes of facial puffiness.

Other reasons:

• single or systematic alcohol abuse;
• diseases of the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system;
• excess salt in the body;
• lack of hyaluronic acid in skin cells, more often after men reach 40 years old, and women 30-35 years old;
• lack of protein in the diet;
• lack of calcium in the body, disruption of its transport to the walls of blood vessels or excess of this macroelement;
• allergic diseases, regardless of location and cause;
• systematic fatigue;
• pregnancy;
• pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus;
• dysfunction of the lymphatic system;
• excess iron;
• reactive inflammation in the blood;
• benign or malignant formations in the brain;
• osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
• inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, brain, facial muscles;
• infectious diseases of the nasopharynx, oral cavity - sore throat, sinusitis, herpes stomatitis;
• congenital swelling.

Smoking causes puffiness only when lymphatic drainage is impaired. In other cases, nicotine dries out the skin of the face and subcutaneous fat.

Main causes of facial puffiness

From time to time, swelling on the eyelids may occur from drinking large amounts of salt or liquid before bed. This phenomenon cannot be called pathological. Swelling quickly goes away within a few hours after waking up. The pastiness, which is observed almost constantly, deserves more attention. If there is such a problem, the patient needs to undergo a full examination of the body to rule out dangerous diseases.

In some cases, pastosity may develop due to a genetic predisposition. In a number of patients, swelling in the morning is an individual characteristic of the body. No special therapy is required.

Poor diet can cause morning swelling of the face

Processes that lead to the retention of salts in the body are considered dangerous. Swelling in the morning may indicate chronic disorders of the liver and kidneys, diseases of the cardiovascular system. Often, puffiness of the face is one of the first signs of diabetes, tumors in the adrenal glands, and serious hormonal disorders. Any pathological processes in the body can lead to fluid retention. Therefore, it is not advisable to postpone a visit to the doctor with such a symptom.

Also read: Facial swelling in the morning

A puffy face may indicate the presence of helminthic infestations in the body. The most common cause of edema is roundworms. The body develops an immune response to toxins released by parasites. As a result, swelling develops.

Often swelling on the face, in particular in the eyelid area, is an allergic reaction of the body to a certain irritant. Thus, an allergy to dust mites contained in bedding and soft toys may occur. In this case, in addition to swelling of the face, the patient may complain of watery eyes and nasal congestion.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular hypertension, lead to the development of edema. The situation can be aggravated by those who are forced to take antidepressants and sedatives.

Hypertension is one of the causes of facial pastiness

With chronic inflammatory processes in the facial area (rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis), swelling can also develop. Pathology develops due to a decrease in local immunity.

A common cause of swelling on the face is osteochondrosis. Chronic pain syndrome leads to muscle spasms. As a result, blood circulation is disrupted and the outflow of lymph from the head worsens.

Symptoms of facial puffiness

Puffiness of the face, the causes of which are allergic reactions of the body, has pronounced symptoms, has blurred external manifestations, and is easily confused with manifestations of other diseases.

The main symptoms of facial puffiness:

• bags under the eyes appear mainly due to short sleep, prolonged stress, and alcohol abuse;
• maintaining a trace after pressing on the edema signals chronic, indolent diseases of the kidneys and liver;
• cyanotic edema is a symptom of stage 3-4 liver cirrhosis, chronic alcoholism, systematic and long-term use of antidepressants;
• pallor manifests itself as a result of stage 1-2 liver cirrhosis, iron deficiency anemia (mild edema), loss of strength, prolonged course of a cold;
• swelling with redness – allergic reactions, as well as cardiovascular diseases, asthma (regardless of the type);

Diagnosis of facial puffiness

Puffiness of the face, the causes of which cannot be determined by systematizing the patient’s complaints, requires the use of additional laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods.

General methods for diagnosing puffiness:

• general blood analysis;
• blood chemistry;
• Analysis of urine.

Special diagnostic methods that help determine the disease that causes facial puffiness:

• electrocardiogram;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
• Ultrasound of the heart for contractility;
• analysis for blood clotting levels.

The results of a general blood test show the presence or absence of allergic reactions and inflammatory processes in the body. If basophils and or eosinophils are elevated, there is a high probability of allergies. Inflammation is indicated by leukocytes and ESR - these indicators are increased.

If you are allergic to insect bites, leukocytes may be below normal, and basophils and ESR may be high.

A biochemical blood test determines the presence of proteins, calcium, iron and mineral salts in the body. With puffiness, there is a high content of sodium salts and calcium; low protein content; calcium and iron provoke swelling both with their deficiency and excess.

A urine test shows the rate at which fluid is eliminated from the body; By taking a urine test 3-4 times a day for 4-7 days and having a controlled diet, you can calculate the ratio of the amounts of vital chemical compounds entering the body and excreted in the urine.

An electrocardiogram determines the heart rate over a given time period. For high efficiency, the analysis must be repeated at different loads and at rest several times a day. An abdominal ultrasound shows the size of the internal organs (liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys), as well as a color image of their surface.

Ultrasound for the contractility of the heart muscle shows the strength of contractions (fraction 40, critical indicator below 25). An analysis for the level of blood clotting is taken from the earlobe. The longer the blood clots, the more fluid leaves the blood vessels.

Prevention of facial puffiness

Preventive methods are aimed at strengthening the cell membranes of the facial skin, reducing the permeability of capillary walls, maintaining the balance of macroelements and microelements, protein, and vitamins.

The following prevention methods are widely used:

• balanced diet;
• strict adherence to daily routine and nutrition
• giving up alcohol;
• control of body position during sleep;
• facial skin care.

Your diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, regardless of the time of year. Do not consume more than 10 g of table salt per day. Do not consume juices and other products with “E” preservatives, as these substances retain fluid in the body.

Meals, divided 4-6 times a day in small portions of no more than 250 g. And with a body weight above 90 kg, 300 g of food. Do not eat or drink 2 hours before bedtime. Sleep 7-8 hours a day. Don't interrupt your sleep time. Fall asleep and wake up at the same time.

If possible, do not drink alcohol. After drinking alcohol, do not sleep for 3-4 hours. Dedicate this time to light physical activity. Develop the habit of sleeping on your back. Contraindication: diseases of the spine.

At night, lubricate your face with moisturizer. Do not overuse skin cleansing products; there is a high risk of drying out the skin and destroying the subcutaneous fat layer. Products with hyaluronic acid should not be used before 25 years of age, otherwise the dosage of the product will have to be gradually increased - decreased effectiveness after 5 years, loss of effectiveness after 10-15 years.

Treatment of pastosity at home

There are ways to combat facial puffiness at home. These include various cosmetic procedures: masks, baths, compresses. Home remedies do not eliminate puffiness as quickly as salon treatments. But by using them in the system, you can put your face in order.

How to quickly remove pastiness

An old effective remedy - a solution of table salt - will help to quickly relieve swelling. Ordinary table salt is finely ground and poured with hot water. For 1 part salt take two parts water. The salt is dissolved in water to obtain a homogeneous composition. The solution is cooled to 36-32 degrees. Soak a towel in the cooled solution and apply it to your face. Keep the warm towel until it cools down. The principle of action is that salt absorbs moisture from the skin.

There is another ancient remedy for facial puffiness. This is ice. You can simply apply ice to the swelling. The remedy will be more effective if you freeze herbal decoctions.

Suitable for this purpose:

• geranium;
• yarrow;
• Oak bark;
• birch earrings;
• chamomile flowers.

We recommend additional reading: How to quickly remove morning swelling of a woman’s face, causes and treatment

A herbal decoction is made and cooled. Then infuse for another 3-4 hours. The cooled infusion is frozen in the freezer. Ice cubes are applied to the face. Raw potatoes will help relieve swelling. Treatment consists of applying circles of raw vegetable to the skin. How else to get rid of swelling? You can include bags of used black tea. Home remedies must be used constantly, only then will they give results.

Massage against pastiness

Massage has a beneficial effect on all tissues. Facial skin is no exception. A simple massage can be done at home. It is especially useful in the morning. It's not difficult to do. The procedure begins with washing with cold water. Cold tones tissues and constricts blood vessels. Washing with cold water will give your skin freshness. Next, you should lubricate your hands with moisturizer and pat yourself on the cheeks for about 5 minutes. Your face will acquire a pinkish tint.

Then apply the cream to the skin around the eyes. With light movements you need to move it along the orbital bone, rubbing it. This will help restore blood circulation. This is followed by stroking movements from the bridge of the nose towards the temples. The massage must be performed for at least 25 minutes. At the end you should do contrast baths. First wash with warm water, then cold.

Using masks

The most effective homemade masks to get rid of facial puffiness are the following:

• Raw potatoes are grated on a fine grater, placed on gauze and applied to the face. Keep for 10-15 minutes. Then wash your face with cold water.

• The effect of a fresh cucumber mask is based on the action of cucumber juice. The juice of this vegetable has long been known to cosmetologists as a means to improve the condition of facial skin. The fresh vegetable is grated on a fine grater and applied evenly to the face. Wash off the mask with cold water.

• Nourishing masks made from parsley give good results. Leaves, stems and roots are ground in a meat grinder until smooth. Green paste is applied to the face. Leave for 10 minutes and wash off.

Masks and scrubs should be used regularly after 40 years. Scrubs help cleanse the facial skin of old dead cells. It's very refreshing. The masks are filled with vitamins. Both procedures, performed regularly, will help maintain beauty for many years.

Compresses to relieve pastiness

A compress will help get rid of swelling. The simplest option is to place a wet towel on your face. The action will be more effective if you take two towels and apply them alternately. In this case, one is wetted in hot water, the second in cold water.

Medicinal herbs will help add a cosmetic effect. In this option, you can prepare herbal decoctions. Cool one, use warm the other. After such a compress, the puffiness will quickly disappear.

Methods for treating facial puffiness

The main methods of treating puffiness:

• drug therapy;
• folk remedies;
• massage;
• physiotherapy.

Drug therapy

The main goals of drug therapy:

• increasing skin elasticity;
• strengthening the walls of blood vessels;
• resorption of microthrombi;
• increasing the content of protein and hyaluronic acid in the skin;
• regeneration of skin cells, acceleration of their division;
• removal of excess fluid from the body;
• slowing down oxidative processes in cells;
• treatment of other diseases that cause puffiness.

Antihistamines for external and internal use eliminate allergies, but do not fight puffiness. It is strictly forbidden to take diuretics on your own! High probability of dehydration.

Traditional methods

Compared to traditional medicine, folk remedies are less effective. There is a high probability of allergic reactions.

Ingredients:

• goose fat – 100 g;
• plantain – 1 tbsp;
• chamomile – 1 tsp;
• cucumber juice – 3 tbsp.

Cooking steps:

1. Melt the fat or heat it in a water bath.
2. If the fat is rendered, let cool until warm, strain, and bring to a boil.
3. If the fat is melting, also bring to a boil.
4. Add plantain and chamomile to the boiling, pre-strained fat.
5. Stir.
6. Switch off.
7. Add juice.
8. Without removing from the water bath, let it harden.
9. To warm.
10. Strain.
11. Pour the strained mixture into a glass container.

Store the cream in the refrigerator. Helps with cold allergies. Nourishes the skin. Relieves inflammation. Tightens microcracks. Use at night for 5-7 days. The effect is observed on the second day.

Ingredients:

• water – 250 ml;
• bear ears – 1 tbsp;
• parsley root – 1.5 tbsp;
• finely chopped carrot tops – 1 tsp;
• rose hips – 10-15 pcs.

Cooking steps:

1. Place the ingredients in water.
2. Boil.
3. Pour into a thermos.
4. Leave for 24 hours.

Drink a decoction instead of tea, as much as your body will accept. Perfectly relieves puffiness if the cause is kidney disease. The course lasts no more than 7 days. A single dose should not exceed 250 ml. Drink no more than 3 times a day.

Other methods

In addition to medications and traditional medicine methods for the treatment of facial puffiness, the following are also used:

• physiotherapy;
• a set of special exercises;
• cleansing diet;
• massage.

Physiotherapy involves stimulating the work of facial muscles through the action of electrofrequency impulses. The procedures are carried out in beauty salons.

To maintain the tone of facial muscles, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improve the flow of blood and lymph to skin cells, a set of simple exercises is prescribed:

• alternately, quickly and slowly, open and close your eyes - 1 minute, quickly, 1 minute slowly, do no more than 10 minutes 2 times a day with an interval of at least 10 hours;
• move the lower jaw in different directions for 15 minutes. 3 times a day, if there is a feeling of pain, take a break after 3-4 minutes. For 1-2 minutes;
• wrinkle and straighten the face;
• make other possible movements with facial muscles.

You can't puff out your cheeks! Subsequently, stretching of the facial skin, premature appearance of wrinkles.

The cleansing diet consists of minimizing salt consumption (no more than 5 g per day), avoiding fatty, fried and smoked foods, and eating fruits and vegetables all year round. Unskilled massage can lead to ruptured capillaries and muscle strain. Massage should only be done in beauty salons.

How to relieve swelling on the face

Men take their appearance more simply. For women, puffiness spoils the mood for the entire day. How to remove facial pastiness - this question arises more often among women. It will not be possible to completely get rid of the causes that stimulate puffiness. Treatment of pathologies of internal organs is a long process. But you can put your face in order for a while. There are many ways to do this. Among them:

• medical supplies;
• folk remedies;
• cosmetic procedures.

General recommendations

Diet will help relieve facial puffiness. You should not eat salty or spicy foods before bed. How else can you remove puffiness? You need to drink more water throughout the day. Life-giving moisture cleanses the body and stimulates metabolic processes. It is better to reduce fluid intake in the evening. You shouldn't drink a lot before bed. Movement will help avoid any swelling. You should always take care of your diet. Food rich in minerals and vitamins stimulates the functioning of all organs and systems.

Medications

Medications will help get rid of facial puffiness. Diuretic tablets are sold in pharmacies without prescriptions.

1. Furosemide is a strong diuretic. When using it, the puffiness will go away quickly. The main disadvantage is that the effect is very strong. After taking the pill, you will have to visit the toilet frequently.

2. Indapamide is a mild diuretic. It will not help you get rid of swelling quickly. But everything will go unnoticed. Urination will be normal, which will not interfere with getting rid of puffiness.

3. Torsemide is a moderate-acting medicine. It will take at least 18 hours to remove excess liquid with its help.

We recommend further reading: Why does a woman develop facial swelling, causes and treatment?

To combat puffiness, Bumetanide, Triamterene, Amiloride, and Mannitol are used.

Things to remember:

1. Diuretics should not be taken at night. The effect they have is incompatible with restful sleep.
2. Diuretics should not be abused. All these drugs remove microelements from the body, which negatively affects health.
3. When choosing a drug yourself, you should read the instructions for use. Different drugs have different effects on the body.

Diuretic teas for pastiness

Diuretics are aimed at stimulating kidney function and removing excess fluid from the body.

The following will help remove swelling:

• horsetail;
• bearberry;
• tricolor violet;
• rosehip (fruit);
• corn silk;
• flowers of common cornflower;
• lingonberry leaves.

A teaspoon of the crushed plant is brewed with a glass of boiling water. Allow to cool and drink instead of tea. Diuretic teas should be used with caution. Large fluid output has a negative effect on the heart.

Salon methods

Salon procedures will help you get rid of pastiness:

1. LPG massage is a hardware procedure that is a combination of vacuum and vibration massage. Exposing the facial skin to various types of attachments helps get rid of puffiness.

2. Mesotherapy is subcutaneous injections of vitamins, hormones, and enzymes. The main goal of the procedure is facial rejuvenation.

3. Infrared sauna – exposure of the facial skin to infrared waves. The procedure has extensive therapeutic effects. In cosmetology it is used to remove excess fluid and relieve puffiness.

4. Darsonvalization is the effect on body tissues of high frequency currents. The procedure improves blood circulation, stimulates the outflow of blood and lymph.

5. Ozone therapy is a procedure aimed at exposure to ozone gas. The procedure rejuvenates the skin, helping to maintain facial beauty.

6. Masks with hyaluronic acid help restore metabolism in the skin on the face, which eliminates puffiness.

Complications

If facial puffiness is not treated, the following negative consequences are possible:

• breakthrough of stagnant fluid inside leads to reactive inflammation and blood poisoning;
• if the swelling puts pressure on the nerve endings, then spasms of the facial muscles, numbness of one or both sides of the face, twitching of the eyelids, tremor of the lower jaw are possible;
• uneven redistribution of intercellular fluid leads to dry skin and its fragility;
• subcutaneous inflammation can affect the oral cavity, lymphatic system;
• Untreated allergic edema can be fatal due to suffocation.

Puffiness of the face can occur for a number of reasons, the most dangerous of which is allergies. First you need to contact a therapist who will give you a referral for the necessary examinations. Treatment is carried out with medications and folk remedies. Other methods act as adjuvant treatment.