Moon face is when you have a round, puffy looking face.
Moon face is a result of accumulation of fat deposits that occur on the sides of the face.
Moon face is not a disease although it can be a symptom of medical conditions or the result of taking some medications such as glucocorticoids.
"Moon face" is a term used to describe swelling that makes the face puffy and round, like a full moon.
The moon face condition is often caused by long-term use of a steroid medication such as prednisone, but it can also be a symptom of a health condition like Cushing's syndrome or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
The treatment for moon face will depend on the cause.
If you're taking a corticosteroid, reducing or stopping the medication can eliminate moon face.
If you have Cushing's syndrome or hypothyroidism, treating the condition itself can eliminate moon face.
Steroid drugs, such as prednisone, can cause weight gain in the face.
They can make a person's face look swollen, puffy, and round.
These symptoms usually go away once a person stops treatment.
A lower dosage of steroids may also reduce the symptoms.
People with Cushing's syndrome may see their face get round ("moon face"), they gain weight in unusual ways, bruise easily or feel weak, tired and sad. Women and men may also notice fertility and other problems.
Some people even find that they tend to have a puffy face in the morning and not in the afternoons and evenings, likely caused by dehydration, seasonal allergies, or consumption of high amounts of salt or alcohol the night before.
A puffy face can indicate hypothyroidism.
But because everyone's bodies are different, not everyone with hypothyroidism will have this symptom.
Facial swelling can also be linked to conditions other than hypothyroidism.