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i accidently fell down and hit my cheek against the floor.

Sent to Health Experts June 27 07:20 PM

i accidently fell down and hit my cheek against the floor. now my cheek is a little swelled up. my cheeks hurts a little, but at the same time it feels a bit numb
what should i do? should i use cold or hot pack?

 

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 23

Already Tried:
ice and hot pack

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $9
Answer
June 27 7:30 PM (9 minutes and 31 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Numbness is not uncommon with the swelling. Use ice for the first 24-48 hrs to reduce the amount of swelling that you will get. Be careful not to get frostbite since you are numb and may not notice. Place a washcloth or other fairly thick, absorbent material between the ice and your face (you can use a zip lock type bag as to contain the ice). After the first 24-48 hrs, switch off to warm compresses to improve absorption of the swelling and bruising. If the swelling seems to be going down and the numbness is the same or increasing, see a doc about possible damage to the facial nerve. Likewise if you see any change in the ability to move the eyebrows, lids, mouth, etc., see someone right away.


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Judy -- Nurse -- 100% Positive Feedback on 871 Health Accepts
RN in ICU for 35 years
Reply
June 27 7:34 PM (3 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
Reply to Judy's Post: how long will the swelling completely go away?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Info Request
June 27 7:36 PM (2 minutes and 57 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
Without seeing your cheek, I can't be sure how much swelling you have. Is there bruising or just swelling? How much of the contour of your face has been obliterated?
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Judy -- Nurse -- 100% Positive Feedback on 871 Health Accepts
RN in ICU for 35 years
Reply
June 27 7:41 PM (4 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
Reply to Judy's Post: there is only a slight mark of bruising under my eyes (u can barely see it). the swelling is noticable after you look at me for a few seconds. so i guess u can say its not dramatic. however, i feel like the swelled portion feels a little hard to the touch and its numb and a little painful at the same time.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 27 7:45 PM (3 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
That's pretty normal, since the cheek is thin, the bone and the floor would have squeezed the skin between them and that will account for the slight bruise and the soreness. You may find additional bruising in the morning. Try to sleep with that side up to reduce the amount of swelling that would develop otherwise. I'm guessing that within a couple of days, the swelling will be gone, the bruise will have moved down along the cheek, and the soreness should be pretty ok. A little ibuprofen will help with the swelling and the soreness and may protect the facial nerve as well.

Thanks so much for allowing me to help! Please click the "ACCEPT" button if you found this useful.
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Judy -- Nurse -- 100% Positive Feedback on 871 Health Accepts
RN in ICU for 35 years
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