swollen lips

swollen lips caused by an allergic reaction, injury or previous illnesses such as herpes. They are associated with unpleasant complaints and must be treated quickly. However, serious complications or long-term effects are rare.

What are puffy lips?

When the lips swell as a result of an allergic reaction, injury, or infection, it is called swollen lips. The lips are supplied with more blood than usual, which leads to an externally visible swelling.

This is often associated with accompanying symptoms such as pain or sensory disturbances in the area of ​​the lips. The swelling itself is usually harmless and goes away on its own after a few hours to days. Nevertheless, a medical examination should always take place.

Since swollen lips usually have clear causes, they can be prevented. The treatment options are also effective and provide rapid symptom relief. In addition to medical preparations, home remedies and self-help measures against swollen lips and any accompanying symptoms also help.

causes

Puffy lips can have a number of causes. They often occur after an injury that damages the tissues around the lips, resulting in swelling. Typical causes are a bite on the lip, violence from blows or pressure, and infections.

Excessive exposure to the sun can also cause lip swelling by drying out and irritating the lips. Likewise cold and strong wind. Regular contact with salt water can cause lip swelling, which is usually unproblematic and disappears after a short time. Spicy food increases the blood flow to the lips and thus also leads to mild swelling and numbness in the area of ​​the lips.

In the case of inflammation, the swelling increases in size within a short period of time, and other side effects such as pain or sensitivity disorders often occur. However, the main cause of swollen lips are allergic reactions, triggered by insect bites, the consumption of certain foods or other contact with an allergen.

In many patients, contact allergies to certain care products or foods are the cause. Swollen lips can also be caused by an infection. For example, a herpes infection causes swelling, blisters, sensory disturbances and other discomfort in the area of ​​the lips.

Diseases with this symptom

• Sports injury
• Contact allergy

• Cold sore
• Quincke's edema

• Insect venom allergy
• Aphthous ulcers

Complications

Puffy lips usually don't cause serious complications. If treated quickly, the swelling will subside quickly and without any further discomfort. If an injury is the cause, possible side effects can lead to complications. After a blow to the head, deformities, bleeding and scarring can occur in the area of ​​the lips and in the surrounding tissue.

As a result, there are often problems with eating, bleeding anemia or psychological complaints such as social fears or inferiority complexes. In some cases, a life-threatening traumatic brain injury can occur after a serious injury. If the swollen lips are caused by Quincke's edema, the hands and feet can also swell and the genital area is occasionally affected.

In addition, edema causes breathing difficulties and other reactions in the area of ​​the mucous membranes, the eyes or the cardiovascular system. An allergic reaction can lead to anaphylactic shock, which if left untreated, can be fatal.

When should you go to the doctor?

If the swollen lip is due to an injury or an allergic reaction, the general practitioner or an allergist or internist should always be consulted. First you can wait to see whether the swelling will go away by itself.If this is not the case or if the lip continues to swell, medical advice is required.

If there are accompanying symptoms such as breathing problems, circulatory problems or a general malaise, a doctor's practice must also be visited quickly. Additional injuries such as a broken jaw, nosebleed, or signs of a concussion are best examined in the hospital. In the event of anaphylactic shock or other medical emergencies, the emergency doctor must be called.

People suffering from food intolerance, a severe allergy or herpes belong to the risk groups - the responsible doctor should be informed quickly about swelling and other warning signs, because otherwise the first complications can occur which further impair the patient's well-being and recovery delay. The same applies if a serious cause is suspected behind the swollen lips.

If you suspect an infection or side effects of a drug, you should speak to your doctor. Depending on the suspected cause, the family doctor, allergist, dermatologist or internist is responsible for a swollen lip. Parents who notice swollen lips in their child should take the child to the pediatrician immediately and have the complaints clarified quickly.

Doctors & therapists in your area

diagnosis

Those affected will notice swollen lips themselves. The cause is usually also determined by the patient, since the swelling is often clearly due to an allergic reaction, an injury or some other trigger. In a conversation with the doctor, the patient discusses all symptoms and possible causes, from which the doctor can already make a suspected diagnosis.

The anamnesis is often enough to make the diagnosis and initiate therapy. A visual examination of the lips enables a clear diagnosis if the anamnesis does not provide information about the cause, especially if the medical record does not contain information about existing diseases and risk factors. If the trigger cannot be determined through the history and physical examination, further diagnostic methods such as an allergy test or a blood test can be considered.

If there is a suspicion of a serious illness, an ultrasound examination is carried out. In any case, further injuries must be ruled out or diagnosed. If internal injuries or fractures are suspected, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is indicated. Once the cause has been identified, treatment can be initiated immediately. At the same time, if necessary, a further patient interview is carried out in which the patient is informed about the intake of the prescribed medication and the measures to be taken in an emergency situation.

Treatment & Therapy

If a slight allergic reaction or injury is responsible for the swollen lips, it is usually sufficient to take care of the lips and cool them regularly. An open wound must be disinfected by a doctor and, if necessary, closed. The doctor will prescribe the patient an antiseptic ointment, which must be applied regularly in the following days.

If the swelling is caused by a severe allergy, medication must also be given to reduce the symptoms. Normally, antiallergic drugs and mild pain relievers or sedatives are used. If you have not already done so, an allergy test will be carried out to pinpoint the causal allergens. Therapy primarily focuses on identifying the causes and avoiding re-contact with them.

In addition, the doctor prescribes emergency medication such as antihistamines or glucocorticoids for the patient. If the cause is herpes, the doctor applies a special ointment. This prevents the pathogens from spreading further and thus contributes to quick healing.

Outlook & forecast

Swollen lips usually go away quickly. If the affected lip is sufficiently spared and regularly cooled, the swelling should have subsided after two to three days. After a week it is usually no longer visible and any accompanying symptoms have subsided.

If the swelling is caused by an allergy, it may develop into a chronic problem. Especially in the case of food allergies or intolerances, every contact with the triggering substance leads to renewed swelling, which must be treated again. If the swelling was triggered by a fall on the head or a comparable cause, it sometimes takes a few days to weeks for the swelling to completely subside.

If the lip is injured, the injury must first be corrected before the swelling can be treated. In general, however, the prognosis for swollen lips is very good. Long-term effects usually do not occur and the quality of life is not significantly impaired by swelling.

prevention

There is no effective prevention of swollen lips. Allergy sufferers should avoid contact with the allergen and also carry the necessary emergency medication with them. However, should swelling occur, immediate cooling can prevent the swelling from spreading. In principle, dangerous situations should be avoided.

Anyone who regularly rides a bike, engages in martial arts or engages in other activities in which the lips are exposed to the risk of vibrations or blows should wear a suitable face mask. To avoid swollen lips in winter, the lips can be regularly treated with a grease stick or ointment.

A healthy diet and regular exercise strengthen the immune system and thus also the health of the lips. Finally, avoiding strong, external stimuli also helps. Typical triggers such as intense sunlight, cold or drafts should be avoided. It is best for those affected to consult their family doctor and find out about other ways to avoid swollen lips.

You can do that yourself

If the swollen lips occur in connection with an allergic reaction, a doctor should be consulted promptly. Before doing this, a series of first aid measures will help to relieve the swelling and alleviate any accompanying symptoms. Cooling relieves acute swelling, while warm compresses and pads promote blood circulation in the lips and thus accelerate healing.

If the pain is severe or itchy, a mild pain reliever can be taken. Alternatively, there are home remedies such as quark or marigold ointment. Melissa calms the lips and relieves pain. If the swelling is caused by a herpes infection, sage or black tea can be applied. The swelling should be observed in the following days. If it has not subsided after two to three days, the family doctor should be consulted.

A positive healing process can be supported by carefully caring for the lip. Using an antiseptic disinfects any cracked skin and prevents inflammation. In addition, the swelling should be cooled several times a day. Drinking plenty and using lip balm will help moisturize the lips and ensure a speedy recovery.