Why do I suffer from swollen upper lip in the morning after sleeping, during sleep, out of nowhere, unexplained or for no reason? Do lip infections, injuries, insect bites, cold sores, canker sores, allergies, pimples or sunburn causes of top lip swelling? What are some of the symptoms and treatments?
A swollen top lip can be on one side, random, on a single spot, on half of your top lip, on the inner side of your lip, on the entire lip or even top lip swollen in middle. The swelling could be sudden or appear overnight while you are sleeping or anytime. Imagine waking up in the morning only to find your lip swollen! Furthermore, this problem could affect both children and adults.
Swollen upper lip symptoms
When your top lip is swollen, you are likely to experience a number of signs and symptoms. The symptoms could be mild or extreme and they could indicated a number of possible causes. In fact, sometimes, you need to do differential diagnosis of swollen upper lip if you are to unearth the actual cause of the swelling since some share similar signs. The common symptoms include the following:
- Enlarged or fat lip (lip distention)
- Numbness or your lip feels numb
- Pain on your lip
- Tight and dry lip
- Tingling feeling, itchiness, inflammation
- Redness and skin color changes
- Blisters on your lip and chapped lips
- Discharges which might include pus as well as pus filled bumps
- Fever, chills, nasal congestion or runny nose.
This are not the only symptoms. There are many others which are dependent on the actual cause. In case you have symptoms such as too much distress, breathing difficulties, tongue swelling, hives and rash, tight throat and fingernails discoloration (becoming blue), ensure you seek for immediate medical attentions.
Swollen upper lip causes, why is my upper lip swollen
Although many people complain about sudden upper lip swelling for no reason, the truth is, there are reasons why your lips swell whether it is in the morning, during the day or after eating some food. We are going to discuss some of the common swollen top lip causes.
Injury, trauma and surgeries
The most common cause of swollen top lip is trauma, injuries and surgeries which include being hit by a blunt object, lip surgeries, dental procedures, top lip piercing, biting your lips, kissing, burning (e.g. with hot food), dental braces injuries, restylane injections, botox, playing musical instruments, etc.
Swollen upper lip allergic reaction
Allergic reactions is another common causes of lip swelling that affect many people. It is caused by various allergens that include food, latex, some medicines, pet dander, various lip care products, etc. Allergies might be accompanied by other symptoms such as swollen face or eyes, watery eyes, runny nose, etc.
For instance, if you have a swollen top lip after eating a certain food, you might be allergic to that food. You need to get the right treatment and avoid eating the same food.
Mouth and lip infections
Stomatitis and other lip infections for instance s type 1 herpes simplex (fever blisters or cold sore) canker sores, angioedema, cheilitis, among other infections can cause swelling.
Acne and pimple
Going on with swollen top lip causes, having acne or pimple can also be a cause for swollen lip, both bottom and upper, especially if you have a cystic acne which tend to be bigger and painful can cause upper or top lip pain and swelling. Acne and lip pimples tend to cause swelling on the side with the people.
Sunburn or poisoning and harsh weather
Exposure to too much sunlight can cause not only swollen lips but also blistered and cracked lips. Similarly, exposure to very dry, windy and cold conditions can also make your lips to swell.
Swollen upper lip and hives
The other possible cause of a swelling on your top lip could be urticaria or hives. This is basically a severe allergic reaction characterized by “a kind of skin rash notable for pale red, raised, itchy bumps” [Wikipedia]. It can affect various body parts including your lips making them to look swollen.
There are other causes that include ingrown hair (if you have a swollen upper lip after waxing or shaving), abscess especially after piercing, eczema, myxedema, lip cancer, organ failure, blood transfusion reaction, herpangina, among many others.
Swollen upper lip in the morning (overnight or during sleep)
Why is my upper lip swollen in the morning or what causes this problem? If you suffer from swollen top lip in the morning, it is an indication the swelling happens overnight as you sleep.
Some of the possible cause might be hypoxia which is associated with sleep apnea. In addition, it could be due to insect bites, you biting it while asleep, or allergic reactions (angioedema) to your bedding material or even the food you ate before going to bed especially if you have no sores, cuts or blisters.
Upper lip swelling and numbness
Do you have top lip swollen and numb and you are wondering what could be behind? Well, some of the common causes of this problem include allergies, dental aesthetics and lip plastic surgeries, infected piercings on your top lip and frenulum, granulomatous cheilitis (especially if you have a lump in your swelling), cellulitis which is “a bacterial infection of the skin, causes red, tender skin that is usually swollen and warm” among other conditions.
Sudden swelling of upper lip
What causes sudden swelling of top lip? The main culprit of sudden swelling of your upper or even lower lip swelling is allergic reactions to various things including lip care products (such as lip gloss, lipsticks, or lip balms), food allergies, latex allergy, allergy to some medicines, and pet dander among other allergens.
If you have lower or upper lip swollen suddenly without a clear reason (unexplained) and you have not had any insect bites, try antihistamines both the OTC or prescription strengths to see if you will get better.
Swollen frenulum upper lip
Frenulum lip piercings and injuries related, gum diseases, dental problems, injuries, trauma, are the common causes of swollen lip frenulum.
Swollen upper lip treatment and home remedies
If you have a swollen or fat lip, you must be looking for some of the ways on how to treat swollen top lip. Fortunately, there are many treatments and home remedies that can cure, heal or at least bring down or reduce swelling. Some of the popular treatments include:
- If caused by allergies get OTC antihistamines as well as prescribed ones. Brands such as Benadryl, zyrtec, or zantac might be of some help. Couple this with cold compress to reduce the swelling quickly.
- The use of black teabags
- Honey
- Tea tree oil mixed with aloe vera
- Aloe vera extract
- Turmeric powder
- Salt and witch hazel
- Coconut oil
- Cold compress
These and many other ways to treat swollen upper or lower lip will be very helpful if you want to deal with the problem fast. To get details on each of the above swollen upper lip treatments, see how to get rid of swollen lip.