Random swelling

[RBK42]

for over a week now, I have been suffering from random swelling.   It started with the right side of my lower lip. over a 18 hour period the swelling "migrated" from right to left.  When the left side of my lip was swollen, the swelling was gone on the right side.  The following morning all swelling was gone.   That evening I developed swelling in the genitals.  Swelling lasted about 24 hours.  I had a full day with no new symptons, and then my righ foot swelled up.  The foot swelling was quite painful, but began subsiding after about 12 hours.  Unfortunately my the swelling moved to my left foot.  I also experienced some swelling in my left cheek during this same period.  After about 12 hours swelling began to subside, at least enough that I could stand to walk on it again.  My left knee began to swell.  Began to subside after about 15 hours, when my right knee swelled.  Again, the swelling lasted about 15 - 20 hours.  Currently the upper left side of my face is swollen (left eye swollen shut). The swelling reached its peak about 8 hrs ago and is now starting to subside ( I can force  a peak out of my left eye),  
What could cause these symptoms?

[shadowmed]

I can only respond to the general question about random swelling. My mother and sister had this occasionally. My mother, usually after bug bites but also after a dental extraction.  She was taking ibuprofen after to relieve pain and we think that triggered the swelling. She had swelling, dizziness, and ended up being blue-lighted to hospital with anaphylaxis. Fortunately, she did recover.

My sister also had swelling after taking an ibuprofen-related anti-inflammatory. She had facial swelling which was also around her eye. It seems angioedema was involved in both cases. We don’t know if this is hereditary as no tests were run for that, but we do know that in both cases NSAID drugs were being taken at the time the swelling started. While this is not proof of anything, it might be an idea to take paracetemol (tylenol?) instead if you are suffering from swelling. If swelling starts to affect your throat, please consult a doctor immediately.

Occasionally, angioedema can be triggered by a bump or injury.

Best to take antihistamine and seek help immediately with sudden swelling. I knew someone who died from angioedema which was triggered by a minor bump. His throat swelled and it took too long for emergency help to reach him as he lived out in the country.

[SallyEdwards73]

Thank you for your comments. I’m not sure it’s this. We don’t have bugs really in England, and neither do I really take nsaids. But I will definitely take your advice about getting emergency help. I also have a doctor calling me on 2nd nov to discuss. Hopefully they’ll send me for some tests. Thanks again

[Gigaboo]

Chagas disease causes that witch is caught by kissing bugs and is contagious but mostly asymptomatic other than everything u all are saying and don't show up on test only specific test can detect it and there calling it the next aids of America cause it's ignored and leads to heart disease and death there's only 2 drugs that treat it and is considered a neglected disease with well over 300,000 infected in North America

[Jonhasdowns]

READ!!!


Do you have allot of iron in your water? What type of detergent do you use? Do you have a plush pillow?

I have had this exact problem. I am not allergic to anything that I know of. I've been to the doctor with no results. They said they didn't know and gave me a shot in the leg of benedryl.

Not sure if iron has anything to do with this because I just moved and my water has allot of iron and I've been swelling frequently. However my old house had no iron in the water and I got it there once also.

The first time was a bit different. But I've been careful in trying not to recreate the events that led to the difference. It started on my upper lip. I scratched my nose and my nose began to swell. I have a habit of chewing on the inside of my cheek and lip and after I did it popped up there but only if I had it on my face already.

My swelling feels hard itches but very little. Small area but raised up quite a bit. Seems to move, today it was on my left side of my chin, and migrated to the right side. Before I had it on my bottom right lip and it migrated to the top lip on the right side.

I have had a blue plush body pillow and it seems like it might pop up after I sleep on that I usually don't use it usually my gf does but nothing happens to her when she sleeps on it.

I thought it might be a bacterial skin infection so I tried washing with hot water and soap. I tried anti-septic spray. I tried rubbing alcohol. I've even tried nail polish remover to no avail.

I've washed my sheets blankets pillows and pillowcases even bleached my mattress.

Still keeps popping up.

Obviously it's your immune system reacting quite dramatically to something but what?

Maybe we can find common ground in products we use on our faces or something that touches your face and be one step closer to figuring this thing out.

[Vicand]

After reading all of these comments I feel a bit better knowing I am not alone. I have the exact same thing. I thought mine was the result of a thorn in my eye which caused an infection. I have had the swelling move all over just as everyone else reported. I have gone to many doctors and have had so much blood work. They think it is welts but are now looking at hereditary angioedema. Why is it NO ONE has answers????? Please help.... This is awful stuff! The immunologist now wants to give me meds that could cause blindness(used for lupus) and I have to get my eyes tested every 6 months. Frustrated and need answers!

[valleygirl129]

I am now 34 years old, but when I was in middle school I started the exact same swelling that you all mention.  It began in my lip and migrated to different parts of my face; often happened when I was sleeping.  I would get a 'tingly' feeling and it would feel like there was a little 'ball' under my skin that would eventually swell up pretty big.  It continued all through high school.  Every time it happened, I would go to the ER and they'd do blood work, and I must have had every allergy test possible, but never got any answers.  Finally after years, it was Cleveland Clinic who asked if I had any head trauma at the time it started, and I actually had been hit in the head with a line drive during a softball game about 2 months prior to when the swelling started.  They said I had a broken vessel in my head that when I tilted a certain way would leak into different glands in my face; and that it would go away as oddly as it came.  It went away for the most part, but to this day it still happens every once in a while.  I have found that if I don't mess with the 'tingly feeling' wherever it appears, it will not swell up too bad.  Hope this helps someone else!    

[Briguy12]

Any chills or sweats with my last comment

[SallyEdwards73]

Hi.  Did anyone find out what this condition is?  I also suffer with it.  I saw a consultant 14 years ago and he told me it was related to a virus and it would go as quick as it came, which it did.  Then I had it again 7 years later and again now.  Last night the left side of my throat swelled which worried me because breathing was slightly laboured.  I currently have a swollen inside wrist.  Its very odd.  I cannot get an appointment with my doctor and they just tell me its an allergy, but its absolutely  not!  Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

[gidgegirl]

Hi Great to find this post. My hubby (56) in Australia has the mobilized facial swelling with no other symptoms. In the past week he has had bloods, amoxyllin (antibiotics), ultrasound and CT scan. To no avail.  After having read all your posts we will go down the complimentary therapy route if he agrees. First stop  a kinesiologist. Will let you know how we fare. Also I was told dandelion root and leaf tea helps reduce swellings (edema) . Have only had one cup so far so cant tell you how that went.
Interestingly he came back from the jungles of  New Guinea a month ago and came home with Shingles and Malaria.After an onslaught of meds i suspect his immune system is shot. I wonder if anyone else has a similar story?...

[gidgegirl]

...

[LMcDowell28]

This is quite enlightening. I have been having the intermittent hot spots on arms, legs and torso (red, hot to touch, tender and very itchy) for almost a year.  I've had four incidents of facial swelling now, with a lip/cheek episode now that is the worst so far.  Just back from the doctor and recommendations are the same, Benadryl, steerer oils and Pepcid.  Not optimistic based on what I am reading here.  Clearly there is a significant health issue that is not on the medical radar.  After reading, I am going to press my doctor this week and will continue to monitor this site.  Thanks to everyone for sharing.

[LIzafern]

I have been dealing with swelling of the face for over a year now, on and off.  It usually starts in my ears, first the lower lobe of one ear then it migrates the next day to the top of the ear and then the next day to the other ear.  It is very strange.  I also get a swollen lip from time to time and when it gets really bad it goes to my eyes.  In the last year I've had two bouts of hives that required Prednisone.  It is a very strong drug with side effects but it took the hives and the swellings away for months afterward.  I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria, an autoimmune disorder.  I notice the swellings particularly appear when I am feeling more stressed.  I just deal with the swellings now and hope that they do not overwhelm my immune system and develop into hives as the swellings have preceded the hive attacks.  

[LMcDowell28]

This is quite enlightening. I have been having the intermittent hot spots on arms, legs and torso (red, hot to touch, tender and very itchy) for almost a year.  I've had four incidents of facial swelling now, with a lip/cheek episode now that is the worst so far.  Just back from the doctor and recommendations are the same, Benadryl, steerer oils and Pepcid.  Not optimistic based on what I am reading here.  Clearly there is a significant health issue that is not on the medical radar.  After reading, I am going to press my doctor this week and will continue to monitor this site.  Thanks to everyone for sharing.

[LMcDowell28]

Typo: should have been "steroids" not steerer oils.

[LisaBlanca]

I have the same symptoms on my face but when it started two days ago my body had hives too.  The hives have subsided after taking benedryl.  However, there is swelling, tingling and numbness on my lips that feels just like it does after receiving Novocain at the dentist's office.  It started on my top lip, 8 hours later moved to my lower lip, 4 hours later moved to my left cheek and I just woke to find my left eyelid and left cheek completely swollen.  There is no pain but I look so weird.  I did have crab-cakes two days ago so I am thinking possibly it is an allergic reaction although I have never had a prior allergy to shellfish. I should go to the doctor but I have a lot going on in work today.

[thundergecko]

With regard to my post above: I've also entertained the notion that this could be the result of a bite, perhaps from a kissing bug, which definitely exist in this area...but I've looked fairly thoroughly and can find no evidence of them in the house.

[thundergecko]

Wow...I was really excited to find a page about this, and to see that other people are experiencing the same sorts of things I am, but I'm really disheartened to see what little success most of you have had with diagnosing/dealing with it. I'm currently experiencing a phenomenon for the second time in about a month and a half in which I wake up one morning with a slightly swollen/numb spot just inside my lower left lip. Over the course of the day, the swelling "migrates" across my lower lip from left to right, and by the time I go to bed, my entire lower lip is pretty severely swollen. When I wake up on morning 2, the swelling has moved into my lower right cheek, over my jaw. Over the course of that second day, the swelling begins to migrate back across my face from right to left, this time along the upper lip. By day 3, my entire lower face is swollen to the point that I look like a Simpsons character, taking the concept of duck-faced selfies to a whole new level. The progression has been identical both times. The first time was accompanied by red, hot, swollen spots at random places on my body (most significantly on both wrists) that were poison oak-level itchy, but that hasn't been present with this second episode (possibly because I've been taking Benadryl since the onset? But the Benadryl hasn't even put a dent in the migrating facial swelling. Also, the swollen parts of my face don't itch at all). I have an appointment with an allergist this coming Tuesday, but honestly, I'm not confident that they're going to be able to tell me anything conclusive. There's absolutely no pain associated with the phenomenon, but it's definitely an inconvenience. As such, I suppose it could be worse...but it's disconcerting, since something is definitely not right and I have no idea what it is. Oh, and with the first occurrence, my doctor ordered a CT scan for my face, the results of which SEEMED, initially, to indicate an infection (despite the complete lack of pain or fever). This was before the redness/itching set in on the wrists and elsewhere. Over the course of the next couple of days, my doc decided that it was probably an allergic reaction rather than an infection (hence my taking Benadryl immediately upon symptom onset this second time), but now I'm not sure.

[kelseycloyd]

Wow. I have the exact same thing going on right now. I wake up with a weird numb spot. Then it begins swelling. Then the swelling migrates around my face for the last week. (bottom right lip, up my jaw and cheek, across my upper right lip across to the left side..) Went to the doctor and they're stumped. Kind of upsetting to see all these other people with the same issue and no relief or answers.

[Marlolan]

Wow, I'm reading this and this is excatly what my daughter is going through. Disappointed that no one knows what causes it. She had knee surgery then 2 weeks later had he first episode. Been to ER 3 times. Treatment of steriods, beneryl and pepcid. Doesnt seem to do anything. She a sophomore in college and going back to school next week. This is definitely going to effect her. She wakes up not knowing whats going to swell. We need answers.

[Vicand]

Isn't it frustrating. No answers just send you here Alf there and want you to take meds. The immunologist now wants me to take a drug that can cause blindness so you have to have your WYES checked every 6 months. He said they use it for lupus bit he has success with it. Oh my. I am wondering if a naturopath might have some answers??? I am 65 and this all started after the thorn in my eue, but every doctor says that's not it. Well... that is when it stayed and contained almost 3 months later. I just asked if I could take am antibiotic just in case. Grrr

[Amy501511]

I'm 16 and I've been dealing with this same thing for 7 or 8 years now. Most of the time it happens when I'm sleeping and I'll wake up with a swollen lip or a swollen eye. I used to go to the doctors all the time and they had done many different tests to figure out what was wrong with me but they never had a clue. They prescribed different medications but they never worked. I have missed so much school and other activities just because I don't want people to see me like this. As I am writing this I'm missing school because my lip is swollen. I am very frustrated with this and have been for years and I'm hoping we can all figure out what is causing this.

[Larsid2]

I have the same swelling, 2 yrs now.  Treatment with steroids  Any other course of action..  Allergies and blood test came back clear.   Dr.  say see ya in 2 months...

Thanks,

Larry

[Robbie989]

Hey you guys, I am here in Spain and I am 48 with the same type of swelling. Two days ago I bumped my right eyebrow on a cabinet and two days later that area bulged out swelling last night. By morning it traveled down to my eye and made it swoll shut, Am I a hemopheliac of sorts? Is this serious? What will happen if I don't have money to see a doctor? This seems to happen seveal times a month, swelling in my lower face, sometimes in my foot, and always the swelling shifts around to the other side of my body.....

[Mtlqc]

I have also been having random swelling. It started just under my elbow on the side of my forearm then moved to inside my forearm. The next day it was in my right palm and through out the day my whole hand swelled. Now it is in bit wrists with are very painful and stiff they feel locked. And in te post few hours under my righ foot has swollen too even tho I had my feet up and was resting

[kizzie007]

My boyfriend has been swelling randomly in various places on his face for a couple years the doctors don't knowt anything but in the last year or so it maybe his finger or thumb the bottoms of his feet an now his throat which scares me to death I walked in the other day an asked who he had been fighting with his face was that bad he alsoe showed me a spot under his arm nothen really helps it it just has to run its course then it goes down on its own slowly the swellings getting worse now I'm scared he ll be asleep an it'll suffocate him if anyone can help or have answers please share.              Thanks,kizzie

[shadowmed]

I don't mean to scare you, but If his throat starts to swell inside or he ever starts to have breathing difficulties with the swelling, call an ambulance straight away.  I know someone who died from angioedema for that reason.  It is not something to be taken lightly. Your boyfriend needs to see his doctor and possibly get some treatment he can carry around with him.

[MzButterflie]

I almost died from it and now I keep getting swelling everywhere they say its Angioedema.

[MzButterflie]

I almost died from it and now I keep getting swelling everywhere they say its Angioedema.

[delightb]

hi ,
i too developed some of the same symptoms and it's so unbelivably pain full, i'm on pain medication daily just to be able to live normally. it is so weird not to be able to pin point an injury. it started during my last pregnancy . on multiple times that i visited the hospital one doctor even suggested i could be allergic to my baby's saliva. i did not see any thing that could say he is right. i did notice how ever that it goes and comes . some times a whole2-3 week with out a swelling  and when it happens it starts simple(just piece of my lip or eye) and then a few days into the episode my tongue and throat (scary, usually a hospital case as im afraid of choking) then my foot or hands.  please if any one knows or think any think that can help with  this situation just say some thing.

[brookiered007]

I have the same symptoms. This happened to me a couple random times throughout childhood (my tongue twice, lip, and feet a few times)...but for the last 5 months it has been happening very frequently. At least once a week. I've had swelling in my lips (the swelling migrates like some described above), cheeks, ear, random circular areas on upper arm, hands and wrist, and bottom of my feet. Allergy doctor tested my thyroid and it was normal. He says it is stress and gave me Hydroxyzine. Doesn't work too well though...I end up sleeping all day and am useless...meanwhile the swelling gradually goes down within 48-72 hours. I am 21 year old healthy female with no other health problems. This is a very big inconvenience in my life. When the swelling is on my face I look like a monster and can't possibly go out in public...causing me to miss class, work, etc. The only thing I can think of is hereditary angioedema, which requires a blood test to diagnose. I can't get back into the doctor until over a month from now. Wish me luck.
To all who are suffering...I feel your pain and annoyance :(

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? I'm sorry to hear what you have been through for the past 3 years. If it is autoimmune, what tests were done? How about your family history? Hang on and do not lose hope. Rare conditions like this which can not be diagnosed immediately needs further observation and evaluation. Take care and do keep us posted.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Do you have any history of allergies or are you taking any medications right now? Facial swelling or build up of fluid in the tissues of the face may be caused by an allergic reaction, angioedema, cellulitis, drug reactions, sinusitis, trauma, and even obesity.  Cold compress may help reduce swelling. And raising  the head of the bed or using extra pillows may help reduce facial swelling. Have this checked by your doctor if you experience sudden, painful, or severe facial swelling, if it persists or gets worse over time, difficulty breathing and fever. Diagnostic tests may be done depending on other symptoms present and results of the physical examination. Take care and do keep us posted.

[jonlounds]

i understand your pain. i have struggled with the same symptons for over 3 years now and have seen over 16 doctors for it (mostly specialists.) i can not even count how many times i have had blood work and allergy testing done for it and all came back inconclusive. i can tell you it most likely doesn't have anything to do with your age though i am 21 and have suffered from this for years now. i have heard doctors say that stress can worsen the symptoms though. they have also told me that it is most likely an autoimmune disorder.  good luck getting diagnosed.i have just come to terms with having to live with it.  

[idolive]

I just began getting the same kind of swelling. I have only had it on my face and it moves around from left to right side of my upper or lower lip. Then it crawls its way up my cheeks and to my eyes. Never both sides at once. It moves around every few hours going down then rising again on the other side or area. It even disappears for one or two hours but sure enough the tingling in my lips starts and the swelling starts all over again. I'm very scared I've never had anything like this happen before. Its only just started in the last few days. I have no other swelling on my body only my face. It does not look like hives, there's no redness or itchiness just swelling and I forgot to mention a numbness! It feel like when you go to the dentist and get an injection. I've taken benadril but didnt help. I've never had any allergies either. I am very stressed out most of the time also tired and dont get much rest. I'm wondering if it has something to do with that or my age (43) and the fact that I have become overweight?. I dont know. I have never heard of these symptoms before and after reading of so many people with similar symptoms and no solution. I will keep looking out for more of this. I'm definitely going to a doctor but right now I have no insurance and I dont want to waste any time or money. I need to go to the right kind of doctor. I was thinking maybe a neurologist? In case this has to do with nerves I dont know I need advice.