Why Is My Cheek Swollen?

Cheek swelling is a symptom that arises when the cheek develops a lump or becomes larger than usual. It may occur for many reasons but usually happens when fluid builds up in the tissues of the cheeks.

This article will explain why your cheek can swell and what can cause it. It will also explain when to see a doctor for swollen cheeks.

Swelling in your cheek can look like a lump or like your cheek is larger than usual. Cheek swelling can have a variety of causes.

Mild swelling of the cheeks could be due to a recent injury to your face or recent surgery. It may go away on its own and is typically not a concern.

If your cheek swelling is not painful or only mildly bothersome, over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications and cold compresses may help reduce pain and inflammation.

Sometimes the swelling may occur in one cheek, in both cheeks, inside the cheek, or alongside the gums. Different conditions will cause different areas of the cheeks to swell.

Conditions that can cause swelling in just one cheek include:

• facial injuries
• a tooth abscess
• infections such as cellulitis Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source
• a tumor in your salivary gland

Conditions that can cause swelling inside the cheek include:

• a tooth abscess
• biting the inside of your cheek
• swollen and infected lymph nodes, known as lymphadenitis
• Cushing’s syndrome, when the adrenal gland makes too much of a hormone known as cortisol

A variety of different causes may bring about cheek swelling. These causes range from skin conditions to more serious underlying medical conditions.

A variety of skin conditions can cause cheek swelling, including:

• Acne: Excessive oil buildup can lead to acne on the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. This can cause swollen cheeks and is known as inflamed acne.
• Cysts: A cyst is a benign (noncancerous) sac that contains fluid, air, or other materials.
• Skin infections or skin growth: Infections or growths can cause swollen cheeks. An example of this is keloids, which develop when scars form excess tissue.
• Cellulitis: Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin, which may cause swelling, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source .
• Rosacea: Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes excessive flushing of the face. Often small blood vessels are visible along with face flushing, and certain people may also experience swelling of the cheeks, per the National Rosacea Society.

Read more about skin conditions.

Certain medical conditions can cause a swollen cheek, including:

• Lymphadenopathy: This is swelling of lymph nodes in front of the ear. According to 2022 research Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source , it may cause swelling in the cheeks, resulting from a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.
• Mumps: This is a systemic viral infection affecting the salivary glands. Per the CDC Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source , symptoms include swollen or “puffy” cheeks.
• Sialolithiasis: This is obstruction of the salivary gland ducts by stones or inflammation of the salivary glands. It can cause swelling of the glands and the cheeks, according to other 2022 research Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source .
• Tooth abscess: This is a build-up of pus in the gums or teeth, per the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS). It results from an infection and can cause swollen cheeks or swelling in the face.
• Hereditary angioedema: This is an accumulation of fluids outside the blood vessels, the National Organization for Rare Disorders explains. It causes swelling of tissues in the hands, feet, and other areas.
• Cancer of the skin, salivary glands, or oral cavity: Tumors can develop in the salivary glands, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS) Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source . They may be either noncancerous (benign) or cancerous. Cancer can also develop in the skin or oral cavity. Symptoms usually can include swollen cheeks, per the ACS Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source .

Tissue or skin changes can also swelling in the cheeks, including:

• allergic reactions
• burns
• medication side effects
• recent surgery
• recent trauma or injury to the face

In some cases, cheek swelling may be a symptom of a serious or life threatening condition that a healthcare professional should evaluate in an emergency setting.

These include anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction, or angioedema, which is a severe swelling beneath the skin that can cause breathing difficulty.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have symptoms such as:

• shortness of breath
• difficulty or labored breathing
• sudden swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• a rash
• wheezing
• not breathing
• choking

These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction. Seek immediate medical care if you, or someone you are with, develop a fever higher than 101^°F (38°C) and painful swelling of the jaws.

Cheek swelling may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying condition.

Cheek swelling may happen with other symptoms that affect the skin, including:

• bleeding or bruising
• hives
• itchy, oily, or dry skin
• lumps on the face
• pink or red bumps on the face
• rash
• redness or warmth

Cheek swelling may also happen with symptoms related to other body systems, including:

• fever
• itchy eyes
• pain in other parts of the face or the teeth
• sneezing

Treatment for a swollen cheek depends entirely on the cause.

According to the nonprofit organization Sepsis Alliance, treatment for bacterial, viral, or fungal infections that cause swelling and inflammation usually includes antibiotics. These may come in many forms, such as medication, gels, or creams.

Some home remedies can also ease discomfort from swelling, including:

• applying cold compresses to the area to soothe the swelling and inflammation
• elevating the head to encourage blood flow
• massaging the cheeks to encourage blood flow

You can usually treat cheek swelling with simple home remedies such as cold compresses and OTC anti-inflammatory drugs.

You may need medical treatment for a cyst or keloid. A dentist may need to drain a tooth abscess.

Because cheek swelling can result from serious conditions, such as a severe allergic reaction or mumps, failure to seek treatment can cause severe complications and permanent damage.

More serious conditions related to cheek swelling, such as salivary gland cancer, require specialist treatment such as chemotherapy, per the ACS Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source .

Once a doctor diagnoses an underlying cause for your cheek swelling, it is important for you to follow your treatment plan. Your doctor will work with you to design this plan specifically for you.

Your treatment plan will help reduce the risk of potential complications, including:

• cheek scarring
• pain that does not respond to treatment
• severe breathing concerns
• severe infections
• spread of infection
• spread of cancer

Here are some frequently asked questions about swollen cheeks.

Most swelling in the cheeks or face goes down in a couple of hours. If swelling persists longer, seek medical advice.

Various viruses can cause facial swelling. Some common viruses include erysipelas, streptococcus, and cellulitis.

A swollen cheek can result from various factors, such as an underlying medical condition or an injury to the cheek.

Related symptoms, such as pain or breathing issues, usually indicate something more serious. Home remedies and OTC treatments, such as cold compresses and pain medication, may initially help.

Be sure to seek medical advice in case of a more serious health condition.