Swollen Forehead
What Causes a Swollen Forehead?
At some point in your life you’ve probably had a swollen nose, a swollen finger, and a swollen lip, but what causes a swollen forehead? Although bumps that appear on the forehead and swell can be easily explained in most cases, what in the world would cause the entire forehead to swell and turn red?
There are actually a few things that can cause a swollen forehead. Sometimes, the process of elimination can help you figure out what is causing yours.
If you are used to wearing a hat, for instance, it could be contact dermatitis due to a reaction that your body is having to an irritant that can be found in the fabric of the hat. More than likely, that irritant is located in the lining. When the irritant mixes with your sweat and the humidity that hats can help produce on your head, it could cause an allergic reaction.
If you think that this might be the culprit, then try taking the liner out of the hat for a few days. If you are still experiencing a swollen forehead, then stop wearing the hat all together and see if it clears up on its own. If it doesn’t, then it could be something else.
Sunburn can be another reason that your forehead swells. If you spend a lot of time out in the sun, then it might actually be a burn that you are spotting on your head, and not actually swelling. On the other hand, serious sunburns can oftentimes include swelling. Hydrocortisone shots, as well as Chlorphenamine Maleate, both which are available from your physician, should be effective in treating this. You should also try upping the dose of your sunscreen and make sure that you are applying it periodically throughout the day.
A migraine or even inflamed sinuses can sometimes make your forehead appear swollen, too. If you suffer from migraines already then visiting your doctor to discuss medication options might help reduce the swelling. If your forehead is swollen and you also feel pain in your cheeks and around your eyes then it could be a sinus infection and require antibiotics.
It is also possible that you got bit by a bug and that the bite itself has caused your forehead to swell. Check your forehead to see if the swelling is centered around any bump, large or small, or any place that might appear to look like a pin prick. If so, then you could try taking an antihistamine which could help reduce the swelling. Ibuprofen can also be used to reduce swelling as well.
Lastly, trauma to the forehead might also cause it to swell. If you experience trauma then you should immediately place a cold compress on the spot in order to decrease the risk of swelling. Continuing to use the cold compress for the next couple of hours might not only help alleviate the pain, but should also help the swelling go down as well. Just remember that that if you experience any confusion or disorientation with the trauma then you should go to the emergency room immediately as you might have gotten a concussion which can be a very serious matter.
If the swelling persists for several days and over the counter medications are not helping to reduce the swelling, then you should definitely visit a doctor. You should also pay a visit to him if the swelling is accompanied by any other symptoms such as fever, rashes on other parts of your body, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or tunnel vision. These could all be symptoms of something more serious.