Lip Swelling
Everything you need to know about Lip Swelling
There are many things that can cause lip swelling, so it’s important to figure out what’s causing it before you seek treatment. Lip swelling is simply when your lips become enlarged for any reason.
Of course trauma can cause lip swelling, so the cause is pretty obvious if you’ve been smacked in the kisser recently. If the cause of your lip swelling is trauma, then your best bet is to use an ice pack on it. This will bring the size of your lips down to a more normal size and help some of the pain to go away. You should also examine the injury for signs of broken skin or cuts. Treat these with an antibiotic ointment to keep them from becoming infected.
Some drugs can also cause lip swelling, as can some food allergies. There are also plenty of other health problems and diseases that can cause lip swelling, so it’s important that you discuss all of your symptoms with your doctor.
Treatment of lip swelling depends entirely on what caused it in the first place. If it was caused by an allergy, then you’ll find relief by removing the offending food from your diet. Don’t forget that cosmetics can also cause lip swelling, so you may have to stop using a cosmetic if it causes swelling the first time you use it. If the allergic reaction was very severe, then your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid ointment to reduce the swelling.
The most common cause of lip swelling is a food allergy, so think about what you ate just prior to the swelling. You should avoid that food in the future and take an antihistamine to bring the swelling down. Also wash your lips, hands, and anything else that touched the thing which caused your breakout. Use ice on your swollen lips to bring the swelling down and avoid scratching them.
Sometimes lip swelling can even be caused by very hot or very cold weather. Sunburn can also cause lip swelling, so it’s important to take care of your lips in all weathers. There’s also a hereditary problem called angiodema that can cause lip swelling, so keep this in mind if you have a family member who suffers from the disorder. Lip swelling can also be caused by a mouth infection like the ones caused by the herpes virus. This type of swelling is usually accompanied with ulcers or blisters on the mouth. There are also other viruses or fever blisters that may cause lip swelling.
If you feel your throat closing up in addition to your lips swelling, then you may need to seek medical treatment immediately. An antihistamine should help open up your swelled airways, but make sure you see a doctor and have an allergy test done if you’re unsure what caused the swelling. It’s important to be aware of what you’re allergic to so you can avoid it in the future. Allergies are especially dangerous for small children.