reaction-face swollen, hard, red, sensitive

[jessa625]

My fiancee appeared to have a pimple brewing on his cheek;however, it never produced a head. A few hours ago he woke up from pain and half his face is swollen. There's a central area the size of a quarter that's red. Everything around it is puffy. His lower lid is very puffy, but soft to touch, the rest of the area is hard as a rock.

[John Kenyon, CNA]

Hello -

It would seem there is an infection of some sort beneath the skin, possibly an abcess related to a nearby structure -- tooth root, sinus, or blocked and infected sebacious gland. Whatever it is, it is advanced enough that it warrants medical attention. Since part of the blood supply in the facial area drains back through the same network of small veins that serve the brain, this is potentially dangerous, and undoubtedly painful. Antibiotics are probably in order. Best to be seen at an urgent care facility if a doctor's office can't work him in promptly.

Best of luck to you both. I hope this is helpful.