My hamster (syrian hamster) is unwell.

Question
Dear Shawntiah Jones,
                  My pet hamster, Teddy is sick. On one side of his cheekish area is swelling, its pinkish-red and its big. My mother won't let me take it to the vet and I wanted to know what I could do for him. I'm scared to touch him because I think it will hurt him and I will get sick or something. I feel so bad for him I don't know what to do. Simply my q's are; What has happened to him and what might have caused it? And how can I help/comfort him at home?
                                       Sincerely,
                                     A Sad Hamster keeper

Answer
It sounds like his cheek pouch may be infected. Sometimes that happens beause of food getting stuck in pouch and causing the infection. There's not much outside of a vet's help that will do anything. The only thing you can do is keep doing what you are doing now. There's really nothing else that can be done. I'm sorry.