Table of contents:
- Various causes of swollen lips
- 1. Allergies
- 2. Angioedema
- 3. Injury or injury
- 4. Lips that are too dry
Have your lips ever gotten swollen suddenly? In the medical world, swollen lips don't just appear. Usually this swelling is caused by inflammation or a buildup of fluid. For more details, here are some of the most common causes of swollen lips.
Various causes of swollen lips
1. Allergies
Allergies can cause swelling of the lips. Usually this condition is triggered by the body's reaction to incoming foreign substances. When a foreign substance enters, the body will release a chemical called histamine as a form of protection. Unfortunately, histamine can actually trigger various allergic reactions, including inflammation.
You may not realize that your body is actually exposed to allergens. It could be that you are allergic to substances in your environment such as pollen, mold spores, dust, or pet dander. Apart from swelling in several parts of the body, other symptoms you may feel include itching, wheezing giggle(wheezing), sneezing, and nasal congestion.
Apart from environmental allergies, food allergies can also cause swollen lips. Well, this swelling usually appears shortly after you eat foods that can trigger allergies. Food allergies usually cause symptoms such as swollen lips and face, dizziness, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, and nausea.
Not only that, insect bites or stings and drugs can make the lips swell. Meanwhile, if you are allergic to drugs, usually other symptoms that appear are rash, itching, wheezing, swelling in certain parts, vomiting, and dizziness.
2. Angioedema
Angioedema is a condition when you experience swelling under the skin. This condition can be caused by various things. Starting from allergic reactions, nonallergic drug reactions, even due to heredity. Angioedema most commonly affects the lips as well as the eyes.
Apart from swelling, angiodema makes you feel pain and itching in the affected area. The symptoms of angioedema usually last for 1-2 days. These symptoms can be treated with antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine injections.
3. Injury or injury
Various injuries or cuts on the face can cause your lips to swell. Injuries can occur due to bites, accidents, post-lasers, burns, and blunt force blows.
Treating swollen lips due to injury depends on the cause. For minor injuries, you can use an ice pack to help deflate it. Meanwhile, if the swelling is accompanied by wounds and bleeding, try to treat it at the doctor.
4. Lips that are too dry
When your lips don't get the moisture they need, they can become very dry and even cracked. Chapped lips make it easy for germs to enter and infect. As a result, the lips may experience swelling.
For that, use a lip balm that contains petroleum jelly to keep it moist. In addition, use lip products that contain sunscreen so you don't get sunburned if you are doing outdoor activities.
You also need to get rid of the habit of licking your lips because saliva can actually make it even drier. One more thing, do not pick or bite the skin of the lips even though it feels dry and scaly.
