Questions For Diagnosing The Cause Of Lip Swelling
To help diagnose the underlying cause of your lip swelling, your licensed healthcare practitioner will ask you several questions related to your symptoms. Questions they may ask include:
- When did the lip swelling start?
- How long has the swelling lasted? Does it come and go?
- Did you eat any foods or have any contact with any unusual substances such as seafood, shellfish, or latex before the swelling started?
- Have you had any recent infections or injuries affecting the mouth or lips?
- Do you have any pain or other symptoms?
Can Allergies Cause Your Lips To Swell
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Risk Factors And Complications
Anyone with allergies, known or unknown, is at a higher risk for developing swollen lips. Other risk factors for swollen lips include:
- Exposure to environmental irritants, like sun or spicy food
- High-impact sports that could cause blunt force to the lip
- Dental or orthodontic work
- Cosmetic surgery
Its important to seek treatment for swollen lips to avoid any potential complications. While rare, possible complications that may accompany swollen lips include:
- Spread of an infection
- Difficulty breathing or cardiac arrest due to anaphylactic shock
- Lip or skin deformities
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How Is Eczematous On The Lips Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider evaluates your lips and checks for other areas of skin irritation or inflammation. They also review your health history, including any allergic reactions youve had in the past. Be sure to let them know if anyone in your family has a history of atopic dermatitis or other allergic skin conditions.
Your healthcare provider may perform tests to confirm a diagnosis of eczema on the lips:
- Allergy testing, such as a skin patch test or skin prick test, to find out if a specific substance is causing your lip irritation.
- Blood or urine tests to check for viral or bacterial infections.
Why Are My Lips Swollen
Hayfever is essentially an allergy to pollen. Here the immune system identifies pollen as an irritant and so, in response, it releases a wave of inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals can linger in the body and cause a build-up of fluid known oedema. In most cases this type of swelling occurs around the eyes but, on occasion, it can affect the lips too.
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Stomatitis And Lip Infections
Stomatitis is a general terminology that refers to a sore and inflamed mouth and lips that often affect someones ability to talk, eat or sleep well. A number of viral, fungi, bacterial infections and other conditions is what causes stomatitis with common causes being canker sores, cold sores, angular cheilitis, as well as general lip irritations.
1. Herpes simplex virus or cold Sores
Herpes simplex, specifically the herpes type 1 also known as oral herpes or cold sores is known to cause sores and blistered lip swelling around your mouth and lips. The blisters are often pus-filled and will affect the various parts of your body too.
Cold sores are generally are painful, they last for 7- 14 days and they come with flu and cold-like symptoms that might include a sore throat and nasal congestion.
2. Canker sores
Canker sore refers to a yellow or pale ulcer that has a red outer ring or a cluster of such ulcers in the mouth, usually on the cheeks, tongue, or inside the lip. They often results to a swollen lip when they are is on your inner or outer lip.
Canker sores are also painful, have a tingling feeling, and last between 5-10 days. They also have a tendency of coming back again. Furthermore, they do not come with fever but you might have other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, physical sluggishness, etc.
3. Angular Cheilitis or angular stomatitis
4. Cellulitis
Are There Different Types Of Cheilitis
The term cheilitis describes general lip irritation. Eczematous cheilitis is the most common form, but other common types include:
- Angular cheilitis, which usually affects the corners of the mouth and is often the result of a fungal or yeast infection.
- Infective cheilitis, which can be the result of the herpes simplex virus or bacterial infections such as group A streptococcal infections. Some forms are contagious.
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Symptoms Of Lips Swelling
There are many causes for swollen lips with different symptoms, including skin conditions and severe allergic reactions. It is essential for people with swollen lips to identify their specific symptoms and potential causes to receive appropriate treatment.
The following symptoms can also occur:
- sensitive to the touch
Swelling of the lips is commonly caused by an allergic reaction to substances in the environment, foods, or medications.
Swelling Caused By Use Of An Ace Inhibitor
ACE Inhibitors are drugs used to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure and diabetes. In rare cases, these drugs can cause an allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: shortness of breath, swollen face, trouble swallowing, swollen lips, swollen tongue
Symptoms that never occur with swelling caused by use of an ace inhibitor: hives, red swollen bumps or patches with a pale center
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
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What Happens When Your Lip Swells
Lips swell when the blood vessels that supply them fill with blood. The structure of the lips include thin, delicate skin that covers the outside, and muscle that lies underneath, which is filled with blood vessels. The inner layer of the lips is called the oral mucosa, and it’s part of the mucous membrane that lines the mouth. When blood rushes to the lips in response to trauma, allergic reaction, or infection, the additional blood makes the lips swell.
What Is Causing My Childs Lip To Swell
The sudden swelling of a lip that hasnt been injured is usually caused by a local allergic reaction to something that has gotten on the lip. If it is an allergic reaction, a child will also have symptoms of itching or tingling.
The substance causing the reaction can be a food, toothpaste, lipstick, or lip balm. Other irritants may get on the lips from the hands.
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How To Get Rid Of A Swollen Lip
Antihistamines are helpful in reducing the symptoms of swollen lips quickly, though the swelling will subside on its own with time. Loratidine is less sedative than chlorpheniramine. Hydroxizine HCL is especially helpful for angioedema. The medication should be taken at the first sign of tingling around the mouth.
Your doctor will also probably recommend an oral antihistamine like Benadryl to relieve your symptoms, but if you want to pinpoint your allergy, dont take it regularly at first. If the allergic reaction was particularly severe, you may be presented with an epi-pen, a shot which, when pressed into a fleshy area of the body like the thigh, releases a more intense and fast-acting anti-histamine to clear up a dangerous reaction quickly.
Swollen Lips And Allergic Reactions
Pollen, medications, dyes, and certain trigger foods and drinks cause allergic reactions that include swollen lips. When the body experiences an allergic reaction, it produces histaminea chemical that causes the blood vessels in the lips to swell. Other symptoms of an allergic reaction are red, itchy welts known as hives, swollen or tight throat, breathing difficulties, muscle pain, fever, rashes, or discolored patches on the feet, genitals, hands, or face.
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What Are The Swollen Lip Causes Or Why Is My Lip Swollen
When you suddenly have a lip swelling, it is normal to wonder why your lip is swollen and what could have caused it? Well, there are much-swollen lip causes some of which area less serious and might disappear quickly while others might be an indication of a more serious underlying condition or disease that can be life-threatening. It is good to ensure you know the root cause and get proper treatment.
So, what are some of the common reasons for lip swelling or what could be behind that swollen lip you have?
Common Swollen Lip Causes
The first time an allergic reaction makes your or your childs lips swell, youre bound to be alarmed, especially if the swelling is accompanied by swollen, red eyes or throat inflammation. Most people will head right to the doctor, and this is a good thing, as undergoing an allergy test can say definitively what has caused your allergy. After administering an anti-histamine, however, your doctor is likely to ask you to keep track of what you come into contact with regularly, to find a likely cause without forcing you to unnecessarily endure painful testing. Here are the most common seven ways a person might experience a swollen-lip reaction.
1) Inhaled natural allergens. Nature puts out an impressive array of pollens and spores every spring and summer, adding an encore of mold spores in the fall, when decay is prominent. Which season affects you depends on which tiny bits of potential plant life youre allergic to. Seasonal allergies can crop up at any time in a persons life. While it can be hard to pinpoint the specific allergen without a doctors test, pay attention to how close you come to freshly-cut grass before your lips swell, and see how a walk in a wooded park affects you, if you live near one. House dust might be the problem instead, so cover your nose and mouth while vacuuming and dusting to see if it helps. While its only partly natural, cigarette smoke can cause allergic reactions too.
In Children:
- ~ Shellfish, both mollusks and crustaceans
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How Can I Prevent Eczema On The Lips
You may not be able to prevent eczema from developing on your lips if you have atopic dermatitis elsewhere on your body, but you can reduce your risk by:
- Avoiding lipstick, lip balm or other cosmetics that contain fragrances or dyes.
- Cutting down on alcohol consumption.
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Keeping your lips moisturized with petroleum jelly.
- Not licking, scratching, biting or sucking your lips.
- Selecting mouthwash and toothpaste without alcohol or harsh antiseptics.
- Skipping very salty or spicy foods.
Abnormalities Of Minor Salivary Glands
Well-localized swelling of the lips, especially of the lower lip, should be distinguished from cysts of minor salivary glands. Oral mucocele is the most common benign lesion of the minor salivary gland caused by any form of mechanical trauma to the excretory duct of the gland. It is characterized by a well-localized, soft consistency, bluish, and transparent cystic swelling on the lower lip .
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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When To Contact A Doctor
In many instances, ACC will resolve on its own once a person avoids the allergen or irritant.
The AAD notes that a person should contact a dermatologist or allergist if the rash is persistent or returns.
A dermatologist or allergist will perform a patch test to try to identify the trigger, according to the AAD.
During a patch test, a dermatologist will place small amounts of potential allergens on the skin and place patches on top. A person should leave the patches in place for 48 hours.
After 48 hours, a dermatologist will remove the patches and see if any allergic reactions have occurred.
After 47 days, a person should return to the dermatologist as it can take time for allergic reactions to occur.
It is important to note that the first round of patch testing may fail because there are so many allergens that can cause a reaction. A person may have to undergo a few rounds of patch testing.
A person should also contact a doctor if signs of infection appear.
Allergies That Cause Swollen Lips
An allergic reaction is an immune system response that occurs when the body reacts negatively to a certain substance.
When a person has an allergic reaction, certain cells in the body produce and release a chemical called histamine.
Histamines job is to protect the body, but in doing so, it causes swelling and often itching as part of an inflammatory response.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimate that more than 50 million Americans have some form of allergy.
People can be allergic to many different things, but some common allergies that can cause swollen lips include:
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Why Do I Have Swollen Lips
With the number of people with allergies increasing across the world, its essential to be aware of the symptoms. This will lead to a faster response and can save lives. Swollen lips are a sign that you could be experiencing an allergic reaction. They can signal a severe reaction, or a milder one, so being aware of other symptoms that come along with swollen lips is useful in determining the action you need to take.
Other Swelling Causes Include
Besides the above-discussed lip swelling causes, this problem can be caused by the following:
- Organ failure e.g. liver, kidney, or heart
- Preeclampsia
- Reaction to blood transfusion
- Lip swelling from ingrown hair is common for people who remove mustache hairs wrongly or using blunt razors.
- Diabetic people are prone to mouth infections as well as infections that cause lips to swell.
These are the most common causes of swollen lips. There could be medical conditions that could also cause swollen lips and tongue that might be accompanied by swellings on other parts of the body.
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Causes Of Food Allergies
- 8 foods cause 90% of food allergies
- In the first year of life: cow’s milk, soy milk and egg
- Older children: peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish and wheat
- Shellfish include shrimp, crab, lobster, clams, oysters and scallops
- Tree nuts include all the nuts except peanuts.
- Of children with a proven food allergy, 40% have severe reactions. The other 60% have mild reactions.
- Peanuts and tree nuts are the most common triggers for severe reactions.
Acute Salivary Duct Stone
A salivary duct stone is the most common disorder of the salivary glands . They can range in size from tiny particles to stones that are several centimeters in length.
You can try treating this at home and going to the doctor if things don’t work. You can stay well hydrated, apply warm compresses, and massage or “milk” the duct with the stone in it. Another tip would be to suck on lemon drops or other hard tart candy throughout the day. Pain is treated with NSAIDs like Ibuprofen. If things do not get better or you cannot find the stone, it’s best to go to your doctor.
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Chapped Or Sunburned Lips
Very chapped lips or sunburned lips may become swollen. Your lips may sunburn right along with the rest of your skin.
Your lips can get chapped if you:
- Live in a dry climate
- Lick your lips a lot
- Spend time outside in windy, sunny, or arid weather
You can prevent chapping by:
- Using a lip balm containing petroleum jelly or beeswax
- Not licking your lips
- Not picking at dry, flaky skin on your lips
You can keep your lips from getting sunburned by:
- Choosing lip products with sunscreen
Swollen Upper Lip Vs Swollen Bottom Lip
If the cause of your swollen lip is an injury, such as a blow to the mouth or a bad cut, the lip that absorbed most of the trauma will be the most swollen.
If you received numbing shots in your lower lip before dental work, then your lower lip would be the one thats swollen the next morning.
One condition that tends to develop only in the lower lip is cheilitis glandularis. This is a rare inflammatory condition that tends to affect adult men more than any other group. Its also associated with lip cancer.
A similar condition called granulomatous cheilitis is another rare inflammatory condition that affects the upper lip, causing swollen bumps.
Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome also tends to cause swelling of the upper lip, rather than the lower lip.
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