Facial Infection due to Stress

[josh.thomas]

Hello AB! I'm a 16 year old boy, 17 in 3 weeks. A few days ago I noticed a very, very small rubbery/hard lump under my skin, on my right cheek bone. 4 days later (today) its about 4cm square in size. Anyway, been to Casualty in the last few hours, and they told me its an infection under the skin, caused by stress. It doesnt look particularily hideous, just very red, sore, and swollen in the particular area. Things aren't what you could call rosy in my personal life - but things have always been up and down at home etc, so I dont see how the emotional has manifested itself in the physical sense, now? I have been given a course of tablets to reduce the swelling and fight the infection - but I am wondering is there anything else I could do, as I have school in 2 days and don't want to go back looking swollen! Thanks!

[WendyS]

Sorry you're having a rough time Josh. Stress can have all kinds of wierd effects on the body and it's possible that your immune system is a little low at the moment which has made you vulnerable to infection. You could try applying a hot and cold compress alternately to the affected area. Soak a clean face flannel or similar cloth in water as hot as you can bear and apply it until the flannel has cooled (but don't scald yourself). Then wrap an ice cube in the flannel and apply it. It may not work and it may still leave your skin looking rather red but it's worth a try as the tablets will take a few days to work through your system. Good luck and hope life improves for you in 2006. And if the lump doesn't disappear, don't neglect it and go back and talk to your doctor.

[josh.thomas]

Thanks Wendy - I'll try the hot/cold compress now... Happy New Year as well!

[H.Wilkinson]

Try not to worry to much about it Josh as it probably does not look as bad as you think. I hope you have a happy 2006. :)

[josh.thomas]

Thanks everybody, for your comments. Just woken up, and the 'rubbery' lump under my skin seems to have slightly decreased in size - however the colour now looks a lot more violent (red), and the surrounding area is very puffy - my bottom eye lid is swollen out like a ballon! :-( Thanks everybody