At one time or another, everyone has had a minor facial injury that caused pain, swelling, or bruising. Home treatment is usually all that's needed for mild bumps or bruises.
Facial injuries most often occur during:
In children, most facial injuries occur during sports or play or are caused by falls. Minor facial injuries in young children tend to be less severe than similar facial injuries that occur in older children or adults. Young children are less likely to break a facial bone. That's because they have fat pads that cushion their faces, and their bones are more flexible. But young children are more likely to be bitten in the face by an animal.
Head injuries may occur at the same time as a facial injury. So be sure to check for symptoms of a head injury.
Facial injuries may be caused by a direct blow, a penetrating injury, or a fall. Pain may be sudden and severe. Bruising and swelling may start soon after the injury. Acute injuries include:
Treatment for a facial injury may include first aid and medicine. In some cases, surgery is needed. Treatment depends on:
When you've had a facial injury, it's important to look for signs of other injuries, such as a spinal injury, an eye injury, or an injury to the mouth, such as a cut lip or injured tooth.
Home treatment may help treat problems and prevent complications after a minor injury to your face. Try the following tips to help care for a facial injury.
Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair.
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