Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medications, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.

Conditions

• A history of previous facial problems, allergies, or sinus infections
• A problem or condition present since birth (congenital), such as a deviated septum
• Previous injury
• Previous surgery to injured area
• A history of dental problems, such as malocclusion, or jaw problems, such as temporomandibular (TM) disorder
• Surgery to remove the spleen

Lifestyle choices

• Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Drug abuse or withdrawal
• Facial piercings
• Smoking or other tobacco use

Medications

• Blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin
• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
• Medications to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Medications used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
• Radiation therapy

Diseases

• Arthritis
• Bleeding problems, such as hemophilia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Giant cell arteritis
• Glaucoma
• Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Inherited bone disease, such as osteomyelitis or osteoporosis
• Kidney disease
• Lupus
• Lyme disease
• Malnutrition or an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• Migraine, tension, or cluster headaches
• Multiple sclerosis
• Sickle cell disease