Lip Swelling Treatment

Lip swelling treatment will depend on the causative factor behind the lip swelling. Given below are a few lip swelling treatment options that may come handy for people looking to deal with this condition.
Lip Swelling Treatment
Lip swelling is a condition where the lips increase in size, sometimes even two or threefold. Swelling of lips could be a very discomforting and embarrassing condition, as it is very easily visible and stands out. However, when it comes to lip swelling treatment, it is important to understand and diagnose the exact cause behind it, as the treatment will depend on the cause of lip swelling, as sometimes the lip swelling is an allergic reaction, and sometimes there is a lip swelling for no reason at all. Given below are the treatment options for dealing with lip swelling.

Lip Swelling Treatment According to Cause

Lip Swelling Due to Allergy
One of the most common causes of lip swelling is allergies. This lip swelling could be a bee sting swelling, which more often than not, manifests as an upper lip swelling allergy. This leads to a transient swelling of the lip and the adjoining areas, like sometimes the eyes could also swell up. Sometimes, the lips may swell up due to an allergic reaction to ingredients in cosmetics, like lipsticks and lip balms. In such cases, the best treatment that can be offered is in the form of topical steroids. Application of topical steroids greatly reduces the size of the swelling. Read more on is lip swelling an allergic reaction.

Lip Swelling Due to Inflammation
In some cases, there is swelling of lips due to cheilitis, that is, inflammation of the lips. In this condition, along with swelling, there are itchy dry lips as well. However, chelitis normally results from either vitamin B deficiency, or due to ll fitting dentures and dental prosthesis, due to which the normal bite and closing of the mouth is affected. Thus, in such cases, the treatment will involve giving the person foods rich in vitamin B or prescribing multivitamin capsules. However, if the cause is swelling due to ill-fitting prosthesis, then it is best to visit a dentist and get the prosthesis properly fitted. Read more on angular cheilitis treatment. In cases of cheilitis glandularis, there is inflammation of the submucosal glands which causes sudden lip swelling. In such cases, the lip swelling treatment will differ from case to case and the medication to be used will be prescribed by a specialist.

Other Causes of Lip Swelling
Sometimes, besides stings and bites and allergic reactions, there may be other causes of lip swellings. Sometimes, there may be lip swelling or abnormally large lips seen right from birth, as is seen in cases of macrocheilia. Sometimes, the swelling may be due to trauma or injury to the lips. Read more on how to treat a swollen lip.

How to Prevent Lip Swelling
  • Take proper care of your lips. Regularly exfoliate lips at home, as this will remove the superficial build up of dead skin.
  • To decrease the chances of sun damage, use a wide rimmed hat and use a lip balm that has an SPF of at least 15.
  • Do not use spoiled cosmetics, or if you are trying out cosmetics for the first time, be sure to do a patch test on the skin before you try it on your face. Check the lip balm ingredients for any content that you may be allergic to.
  • If your lips suddenly swell up overnight, or if they hurt a lot and swell up, then it is best to immediately consult a doctor and get the condition diagnosed and treated at the earliest.
Thus, these were the various lip swelling treatment options which would have definitely helped you answer the question of how to reduce lip swelling. As mentioned above, the treatment for the lip swelling will depend on the cause. Thus, it is best to be on the safe side and take measures that can help prevent the occurrence of lip swelling in the first place.

By Dr. Sumaiya Khan
Published: 2/13/2010
 
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