Swollen Lip Causes And Treatments

Three things that could indicate a swollen lip:

Your gums, tongue, and lips have a lot of blood supply, and the skin on your lips is very thin. If something hits your mouth with a lot of force, for instance, a ball that's thrown from a distance, blood rushes to the area, causing a swollen appearance. Because of the high blood flow in the region, this area might bleed a lot.

No matter which one of your lips is swollen, you can suck on ice pops or ice cubes to reduce swelling. You can also apply a cold pack to the area for at least 10-15 minutes every 1-2 hours for at least 24 hours after the injury occurs. Make sure to visit to make an emergency appointment with your dentist to ensure the trauma has not impacted your teeth.

An allergic reaction may cause swelling in your lips. A common allergic reaction is known as angioedema, affecting the deeper layers of your skin. Swelling and redness around your lips, cheeks, and eyes is a typical sign of angioedema. If you have a mild allergic reaction, you can treat it at home with an over-the-counter antihistamine. If you have a known allergy to a food or medication that causes angioedema, your swollen lip symptoms may be an early sign of an allergic or anaphylactic reaction. You must seek immediate medication attention if you feel your swelling increases or if you have trouble breathing.

Cheilitis is a condition involving the inflammation of the lips. It can be acute or chronic. Viral cheilitis is mainly caused by the herpes simplex virus, type 1. The primary herpes infection affects the lips in most cases, manifesting as a cluster of blisters surrounding the mouth area. A burning sensation typically accompanies it.

Herpes blisters usually heal by themselves in about one to two weeks, although over-the-counter topical anesthetics can also give some relief.

When swollen lips have no obvious cause, they might be a symptom of a rare condition or disease—hereditary angioedema, leukemia, and Hodgkin's disease are a few unusual causes.

Swollen lips often return to normal without treatment, but it's essential to seek immediate medical attention if you experience more severe symptoms, like breathing difficulties or heavy bleeding. Other reasons to see a doctor include if the swelling continues for longer than a few days or if it's accompanied by pain or fever, which may mean your lips are infected.

In less severe cases, you can use home treatments to help the swelling go down. A mild allergic reaction that causes lip swelling is usually over within four days, especially if you use over-the-counter antihistamines. For minor cuts and abrasions inside the mouth, rinse with a peroxyl mouthwash which facilitates healing, alleviates discomfort, and provides a whole mouth clean.

Swollen lips are usually more inconvenient than serious but see a doctor immediately if you have other, more severe symptoms. An allergic reaction can turn life-threatening quickly, and serious swelling can also signify another harmful medical condition. In most cases, icing an injury and keeping the area clean may heal your lips in no time.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.