Orthopedics-Online

Swollen forehead

definition

The forehead, which begins above the eyes and is bordered by the hairline towards the top, can be swollen for various reasons. Since a swelling on the forehead cannot be assigned to a specific cause, there is also no uniform definition.

In principle, a swelling denotes an increase in the volume of the tissue on the forehead, which is caused by an accumulation of fluid. Swelling is visible to the naked eye and is one of the classic signs of inflammation. Examples of fluid retention are bleeding, edema, or cysts.

root cause

A swollen forehead can have many different causes, some of which are common and some of which are rare. The accumulation of fluid in the forehead can have various causes, which can be narrowed down on the basis of the development and the accompanying symptoms. Bleeding as part of an acute injury, i.e. a classic bump, is particularly common in children. Since the injury is often internal and the bump also has a characteristic blue-red appearance, finding the cause is not difficult in this case.

It is different if a bloody bump is suddenly just there without an injury. In this case, a so-called bleeding tendency, for example hemophilia or Von Willebrand syndrome, can be considered as the cause. Another disease of the hematopoietic system, such as blood cancer (leukemia), can cause bruises and bumps that are not caused by a previous injury.

Another cause of swelling on the forehead is edema. Edema is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the tissue. One cause of such edema is allergy. A wide variety of allergies, for example to medication, can lead to such edema. Itching, headaches or even breathing difficulties also occur. Further swellings in the area of the face are typical.

A swelling of the forehead can also have an infectious cause. A sinus infection is often responsible for a swollen forehead. In addition, there is a feeling of pressure in the forehead and possibly other sinuses, headaches and other signs of infection such as fever. Ultimately, insect bites are another common cause of a swollen forehead.

Swollen forehead from a pimple

Pimples, which are called pustules in medical jargon, are a small, superficial cavity in the skin filled with pus. Pimples cause swelling that is sometimes more or less large and, when put under pressure, drain their pus. They are sterile and can occur in anyone.

A distinction must be made between the so-called comedones, which occur in acne. These often affect the forehead and are also commonly referred to as pimples. They form due to a cornification disorder of the skin and an excessive production of sebum by the sebum glands. This clogs small hair follicles and creates swelling. Since the forehead, as well as the shoulders and the V-shaped area of the chest and back, belong to the sebum-rich skin regions, it is particularly often affected.

Acne therapy includes various active ingredients that are applied topically or taken in the form of tablets. It depends on the degree of discomfort. Another cause of a type of pimple swelling on the forehead is bacterial infection of the skin. In particular with constant manipulation of a pimple, pathogens can enter the skin and thus lead to an infection. The swelling may be painful, overheated, or reddened. If you suspect such an infection, you should consult a doctor. Pimples that do not go away after 1 to 2 weeks but only expand further are particularly suspicious. If general symptoms such as fever occur, a doctor should be consulted immediately. In this case, the swelling must be opened and the pus removed.

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allergy

Allergies are a common cause of forehead swelling. A wide variety of allergies can trigger the swelling. A possible cause is a drug allergy, but also food allergies or the like. In addition, so-called urticaria or even breathing difficulties can occur. Urticaria, also called hives, causes excruciating itching and wheals all over the body.

A slight general reaction, which is accompanied by nausea, headache and vomiting, is also possible. In the worst case, the allergy can be accompanied by severe breathing difficulties. The swelling doesn't have to be limited to the forehead alone, it can also show up on the eyelids, lips, chin and tongue. The swelling should subside and completely disappear after hours to days.

In acute therapy, corticosteroids, antihistamines and possibly even adrenaline are used. Impairment of breathing is an emergency. For the future, it is advisable to avoid the triggering substance, for example a certain drug. In order to find the trigger, allergy diagnostics are initiated.

Swollen forehead after sunburn

Sunburn is an acute inflammatory reaction of the skin to the UV rays contained in sunlight. Sometimes the sunburn is classified as a 1st to 2nd degree burn. Typically it starts with itching and pain. After several hours, swelling and redness appear. This is only limited to the skin area that is exposed to sunlight. The forehead is one of the so-called sun terraces of the skin. These are the areas of the skin that are particularly exposed to sunlight. Therefore, swelling of the forehead after sunburn is not uncommon.

This is accompanied by headaches and, in the case of severe sunburn, even fever. The swelling reaches its maximum after 12 to 24 hours and subsides after about a week. In the case of severe burns, bubbles also appear. In general, cooling compresses help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Creams, lotions or gels with corticosteroids (e.g.Betamethasone) can be applied to the swelling. Severe burns usually require additional therapy with pain relievers such as diclofenac.

Swollen forehead from coloring hair

Rarely, after dyeing the hair, there may be an allergic reaction to the ingredients of the dye. Although the dyes go through extensive test procedures to check their compatibility, allergic reactions cannot be ruled out. It is therefore recommended to check colors for intolerance before using them on the hair. You can find instructions for this on the manufacturer's information for the dye. However, should an allergic reaction occur, it is not uncommon for this to manifest itself in painless swelling of the forehead or even the entire scalp. Swelling in the rest of the face is also possible.

In addition, scalp oozing and itching can occur. It is best to see a doctor right away to treat the reaction with medication. Both antihistamines such as fenistil and cortisone are commonly used drugs.

Swollen forehead after an insect bite

In the case of insect bites, a distinction is made between so-called "direct sting reactions" and delayed allergic reactions. Both can cause swelling on the forehead. The direct sting reaction, for example after a bee or wasp sting, leads to a small swelling around the sting, as well as reddening and slight pain. Local itching is also possible. The swelling can take up to 5 days to subside. Experience has shown that cooling compresses help against the swelling. Allergy sufferers sometimes suffer from massive swellings that can affect the whole forehead and other parts of the face. Itching, nausea or even vomiting can also occur.

Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, symptoms such as shortness of breath and cardiac arrest are possible, which is why immediate action is necessary in the event of an insect venom allergy. The therapy corresponds to the general procedure for an allergic reaction. People with a known allergy to insect venom may be given an emergency home kit that contains medication to treat the reaction.

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Concomitant symptoms

The accompanying symptoms of swelling on the forehead are highly dependent on the cause. Swelling of the forehead as a result of an allergic reaction can be accompanied by itching, nausea, headache or even shortness of breath. In the worst case, circulatory disorders can even occur, which must be viewed as an emergency. Swelling due to sunburn is also initially accompanied by itching or burning of the skin and slight pain.

Extensive sunburn can even lead to general symptoms such as fever. Bruises, such as those that occur after an injury, show no further symptoms apart from their typical red-bluish appearance and pain. However, if the bruise occurs as part of a tendency to bleed, a wide variety of accompanying symptoms may be present depending on the underlying disease. Other bruises on the body and joint pain are typical of haemophilia.

Swollen forehead and headache

Headache is a common symptom of swelling on the forehead. They cannot be specifically assigned to a cause, but rather occur in a wide variety of diseases and conditions. They are very typical of acute head injuries in which there is a bump on the forehead. The headache can originate locally from the injury to the forehead or be a sign of a concussion or, in the worst case, even a cerebral hemorrhage.

The latter, however, occur with more serious injuries and are rather rare. Headache can also occur as part of a sunburn or an allergy. It is not decisive for narrowing down the cause as it is a very common accompanying symptom of swelling of the forehead. However, headaches combined with nausea or vomiting should always be a reason to see a doctor, as they can be a sign of increased intracranial pressure after an accident or injury. Even in the context of an allergy, such complaints are to be rated as a more pronounced general reaction and should therefore be clarified by a doctor.

itching

Itching on the forehead is an unpleasant symptom that can occur with various underlying diseases. It can occur due to external factors such as light, allergens and creams, but it can also be a symptom of hormonal changes, skin diseases or stress.

If wheals and redness also occur, an allergic reaction may be behind the itching. The reaction can be caused by allergens in the air, sun rays, face and hair care products, headgear, or insect bites. Often times, a certain allergen can be determined through the temporal context, which should be avoided from now on.

Skin conditions like acne, pimples, sunburn, and irritation from sweat can also be behind the itchiness. In rare cases, hormonal changes, for example during pregnancy, can also cause itching.

Swollen lymph nodes on the forehead

The large lymph node stations of the head are located on the lower jaw, the back of the head and the neck.

However, lymph node swellings can also occur on the temples. In the course of infections, pathogens can cause the lymph nodes to swell. In these cases, the lymph nodes are often tender. Tumor-like lymph node swellings can also manifest on the temples and grow towards the forehead. In principle, individual painless swellings should be clarified by a doctor, as in rare cases they can be so-called lymphomas

Swollen veins on the forehead

Swollen veins on the forehead are a typical phenomenon that can occur in many people.

Typically these are veins that take blood from body cells and transport it to the heart. The veins on the forehead collect blood from the skin of the face as well as the superficial structures of the eye and lead it back via a large circulation into deeper neck veins, from where it reaches the heart. In contrast to the arteries, the blood in the veins flows very slowly, without pulsing and with a significantly lower pressure. The veins can lie very superficially under the skin, as can often be seen on the hands and arms.

The blood flow to the veins of the skin can be increased through various body processes. This can be the case with high pressure inside the body or with an increased body temperature. As a result, the blood collects in the skin veins, causing the veins to swell and become visible on the forehead. Most sufferers report that the veins protrude especially after exercising, using the toilet, or when screaming or singing. This is related to the increase in pressure in the chest or the increase in body temperature. How much the veins protrude varies greatly with each person. Overall, however, it is a completely harmless phenomenon.

therapy

The treatment for swelling on the forehead is highly dependent on the underlying condition. An overview should briefly summarize the most important therapies for a swollen forehead:

1. Swollen forehead with an allergy: An allergic reaction is treated with various active ingredients such as antihistamines, cortisone preparations or cromoglicic acid. Cooling compresses are also suitable for local relief of the symptoms. Depending on the extent of the allergic reaction, the medication is either applied topically, taken as tablets or, if the reaction is severe, given into the vein. The most severe allergic reactions are also treated with adrenaline.

2. Bruise: A bump on the forehead usually does not need to be treated. Cooling compresses and pain relievers if needed are usually sufficient. However, if the bruise is very large, surgical removal may be necessary in rare cases. If there is an underlying bleeding tendency, special therapy with drugs that promote blood clotting can be carried out.

3. Swelling with a sunburn: After a sunburn, the affected area should first be cooled. In addition, light cortisone ointments that can be applied to the forehead help against the swelling. Pain relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac are also beneficial.

4. Bacterial infection of the forehead: In the case of a bacterial infection of the skin on the forehead, surgical removal of the pus may be necessary. However, it is a rather rare cause of swelling on the forehead.

Special forms

Swollen forehead in the child

Children are often affected by swelling on the forehead. Probably the most common cause is an injury, which usually occurs while playing or during the first attempts at walking. Since such a bump is not of concern, parents should keep calm and use cooling compresses to relieve the pain. Painkillers shouldn't be given just like that unless prescribed by a doctor. However, should nausea, vomiting, dizziness or even loss of consciousness occur after the injury, a doctor must be consulted immediately. There may be a concussion that needs to be monitored in the clinic. This is also not uncommon with children.

However, if a child continues to experience bruises and swelling in different parts of their body without an injury to explain the bruising, another cause must be considered. This can be a tendency to bleed or a disease of the blood-forming system, such as leukemia. However, these diseases are rather rare. Of course, other causes, such as allergies or sunburn, should also be considered if the forehead is swollen. Like adults, these can also affect children and express themselves in the same way.

Swollen forehead and eyes

Swelling of the forehead and eyes, especially the eyelids, is usually an indication of an allergy. This type of swelling is also known as Quincke's edema and can affect other areas of the face.

In the worst case, the airways are also affected, causing breathing disorders that can be life-threatening. Headache and, due to the swelling of the eyelids, visual disturbances can also occur. Another reason for swelling in the eye and forehead is increased bleeding. However, a pure fall is unlikely. Typically, such bleeding is caused by punching. This hemorrhage is very dangerous and can lead to massive visual impairments and injuries to the visual apparatus.

diagnosis

A swelling on the forehead can be diagnosed by different doctors, for example the family doctor, dermatologist or pediatrician. Most important for finding the cause is the recording of the patient interview (anamnesis). This provides important information that can explain the origin of the swelling. These are, for example, known or possible allergies, injuries, previous illnesses (e.g. tendency to bleed) and the use of medication.

After the consultation with the patient, the doctor looks at the swelling and, if necessary, the remaining skin. For example, the appearance may indicate bleeding, an allergic cause, or sunburn. Ultimately, special examinations such as allergy diagnostics or a blood test depend on the suspected diagnosis and are arranged individually

Duration of the swelling

Since swellings on the forehead can have very different causes and are therefore not all the same, the duration of their appearance is also very different. In general, swelling will subside in the context of an allergy after about 5 to 6 days. It is similar with a sunburn. However, bruises called hematomas can be present for up to 2 weeks before they completely resolve. If there is a tendency to bleed or a disorder of the blood-forming system, they persist in some cases even longer. Infectious swellings can even show courses over several months without treatment