Why is the upper lip swollen and what should I do?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Beautiful, slightly swollen lips - the dream of any woman and a seductive fruit for a man. But if the upper lip is unexpectedly swollen, becoming exaggeratedly large?
Such a picture in the mirror does not please the look, but often brings also physical and psychological discomfort.
Why is the upper lip swollen?
Appeared, it would seem, on the level ground swelling changes the face of a person, and not for the better. So why is the upper lip swollen and what should I do about it? This is the first thing that comes to mind. The reasons for the increase in the upper lip are somewhat and to solve this problem, you must first find the root cause. Only after this can we talk about adequate therapy.
- Such a symptomatology can be caused by the reaction of the human body, to some kind of food, a household chemical, a medical product, animal wool (both wild and domestic), indoor dust, pollen allergy and plant odors.
- This can be triggered by an inflammatory process that originated in the wound or a crack on the lip, and the cause can also be covered in a pimple or furuncle, which jumped on the skin of the face.
- The reason for the swollen upper lip is a violation in the balance of the microflora of the vagina.
- Provoke venereal diseases.
- Absence of elementary rules of hygiene can cause pathology.
- Diseases of an infectious or viral nature.
- Pathology of the oral cavity: herpes, stomatitis.
- Dental problems (flux, periodontitis, periodontitis and others).
- The consequences of surgical intervention, performed on the face-jaw area.
- Bad habits: obsessive need to constantly bite the upper lip.
Appearance is very serious. From how we look, our psychological comfort in a society of other people also largely depends. If the upper lip is swollen, the person feels like an ugly duckling. But in order to fight the disease, the reason for the swelling of the upper lip should be known and, besides the sources already mentioned, the culprits of this discomfort can be called:
- Bites of animals and insects.
- Injury of the facial area.
- Damage to the soft tissues of the upper jaw with a floss or toothpick.
- New-fashioned piercing, tattoos, plastic face correction.
- Erection of milk teeth in children and constant in a more adult contingent.
- Consequence of visiting the dentist.
- Consequences of drafts or hypothermia.
- Injury of the gums of the upper jaw during meals.
- Thermal or chemical burn (hot food or beverages, dangerous liquids).
- The impact of external factors, such as frostbite.
- Low-quality cosmetics, in particular lipstick, causing an allergic reaction.
Before deciding on the primary source of the problem, it is necessary to remember what the person did or ate before the upper lip began to swell. If you can not decide on your own cause, it's worth consulting a specialist. He will analyze the situation, assign the necessary studies and establish the culprit of discomfort. You know the "enemy" - then you can fight it.
Why did my upper lip and nose swell up?
Puffiness is a natural reaction of the human body to a certain irritation or direct physical contact. If you see in the mirror that the upper lip and nose are swollen, it is worth consulting with the doctor. Probably, there will be a necessity to make the roentgenogram to precisely diagnose. The cause of this swelling may be periodontitis - one of the complications of caries, dental injuries or medical manipulations, resulting in an inflammatory process from the tooth region passes to the periodontal zone. In this case, along with swelling, monotonous or pulsating pain symptoms usually appear. To start such a process does not follow, further inaction can lead to a more severe pathology. It is necessary to seek help from an endodontist who will treat the caries tooth and prescribe anti-inflammatory therapy. After that, the pain must go away, and the swelling subsides.
Another reason, when you can see that the upper lip and nose are swollen, may be a trauma received by the patient in the face area. In this case, it is better not to engage in self-medication, but to undergo examination with a doctor - traumatologist. X-ray examination will not be superfluous, as the swelling of the upper lip and nose can be only visual effects of the impact, and during the research it will be found, for example, "concussion", damage to the bony tissues of the face - the jaw area. This pathology is also manifested by another symptomatology, since the impact of the stroke usually becomes a hematoma, which "diverges" with swelling. You will have to worry more if one of the consequences of the injury is a wound - these are open "doors" for a different type of infection.
The first medical aid in this situation will be cryo lotion - a cold compress on the impact zone (this can be a piece of meat from the freezer, but necessarily wrapped in clean material). The main thing is not to overdo it and not to bring the epidermis tissue to hypothermia. With an open wound, scratches or a crack, they must necessarily be treated with hydrogen peroxide or any other antiseptic.
Why is the upper lip swollen?
Until recently, people felt completely normal, and suddenly the upper lip was suddenly swollen. What is the reason and what to do? It is worth analyzing the situation preceding the swelling. Most likely the victim ate something and on one of the products the human body gave an allergic reaction of such symptoms. A similar picture can be obtained after taking some medications. Increased puffiness can be accompanied by complete or partial numbness of the skin and the lip itself - this is the reaction of the nerve endings of the pathology that has undergone pathology. After the swelling is gone and normal blood circulation resumes (accompanied by a slight burning and tingling sensation), numbness will also pass. In this situation, do not ignore the trip to the doctor. He will conduct an examination and give recommendations on an antiallergic ointment or a drug of another form of administration.
Causes of pain and swelling of the upper lip
If the upper lip hurts and swells, then going to a specialized clinic is inevitable, since it is not always possible to establish the cause of this manifestation on your own. And in any case, a specialist does not post a consultation. After all, if you are sure that the cause of edema, for example, a trauma received during a fall, there is no guarantee that its consequences are not associated with open wound, which can become a hotbed of infection and a secondary edema.
Some inflammatory processes flow with edema and pain, especially if they are burdened with infiltrates and ulcers. Concomitant symptomatology in this situation usually becomes elevated body temperature, numbness of the skin, hyperemia of the epidermis, an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity.
In any case, it is not worthwhile to delay the trip to the specialist, because procrastination plays into the hands of the disease and aggravation of its symptoms, the inflammatory process captures all the larger areas. This situation is fraught with the development of severe pathology, which will have to be treated a lot longer and more expensive.
Causes of swelling of the upper lip inside
The reasons that the upper lip swelled up inside, maybe a few. Such a source is capable of becoming one of the viral or infectious diseases, such as, for example, herpes, acute respiratory infections, ARI, stomatitis. With therapeutic therapy, in this case, the doctor will prescribe an antiseptic, and to eliminate the root cause, antibiotics or antiviral drugs, immunostimulants, which cause the body to fight the disease, are introduced into the treatment schedule. You need to be very careful with the herpes bubble cake. It should not be removed in any case, since an open wound is formed on this place and it is enough to touch it with dirty unwashed hands to get a secondary infection. It is not worth the trouble to tighten with cupping, the disease can give serious complications.
The source of the problem is also the developing periostitis - a very complex and unpleasant pathology, which is an inflammatory process that occurs in the bone tissues of the jaw and periosteum. Periostitis, in most cases, is burdened by suppuration and abscesses. And if you pull with treatment, the processes that go into the bones can lead to its necrosis. To prevent this, do not postpone visiting a doctor. Only a qualified specialist is able to find the true cause of the pathology and take adequate measures.
The reasons that led to periostitis can be:
- Deviation from the instructions when installing the seal.
- Ignoring the rules of antiseptic treatment.
- Untimely treatment for help to the dentist.
- The treatment of teeth is not at the proper level.
But this disease can develop from secondary sources:
- Because of a weak immune system.
- The catalyst of the process can be a stressful situation.
- The impact of climatic collisions: frostbite, hypothermia.
Hence the conclusion suggests that if you need to visit a dentist, you should only use the services of a trusted doctor and the clinic as a whole, and do not aggravate the symptoms by delaying the trip to a specialist, especially for diseases that occur with purulent abscesses.
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When does my cheek and upper lip swell up?
Most pathologies associated with the oral cavity entail multiple physical and psychological discomfort: the patient is difficult to chew, which does not add to the appetite and mood, there may be problems with diction, the disease is often accompanied by fever. If you do not stop this process in time, abscesses and abscesses can cause an intoxication of the body. One of the visual symptoms of inflammation affecting the upper jaw, and caused by infection or bacterial damage, can be considered a case where the cheek and upper lip swelled up.
Such a picture can speak of a flux - a severe purulent disease of the subgingival and subperiosteal jaw areas, developing due to the progressive inflammation of the dental root. This disease is unpleasant and dangerous. If you do not diagnose it and start complex therapy in time, the lesser the patient can expect is the loss of the affected tooth, and subsequently of the adjacent teeth, because the inflammation does not stand still, grabbing all the larger areas. The decay process is also spreading, which can really reach the tissues of the brain.
If the bridle of the upper lip is swollen?
There are cases when, after setting the cermet on the front upper teeth, after a certain period of time a person begins to feel that the bridle of the upper lip is swollen, and over time a small knob is formed on the upper gum. What can this be and how to deal with it? It is not worth guessing. Only a qualified specialist is able to assess the situation and make a correct diagnosis. In this case, one can speak with overwhelming confidence about the formation of a purulent fistula on the upper gum. Over time, the fistulous course begins to form, the suppuration opens itself (or the doctor does) and the pus comes out. But, so that this process does not progress, it is necessary to sanitize the wound and the entire oral cavity.
In this situation, the doctor can recommend warm rinses with a solution of salt and soda, taken over half a teaspoon and dissolved in a glass of water. With regular rinses, the infected liquid actively exits, increasing the efficiency of sanitation, and, accordingly, healing. If the therapy turns out to be ineffective, it is recommended to undergo an X-ray examination or computed tomography - this will help to clarify the diagnosis and adjust the treatment.
Causes of numbness and swelling of upper lip
Complete lack of skin sensitivity in humans is rare, but partial numbness is accompanied by multiple pathologies. If it is observed together that the upper lip is swollen and numb, this can be evidence of the presence of the disease present in the body, so the elementary response of the body to swelling. In the latter case, after the swelling is gone, the sensitivity of the nerve endings of the affected area is restored.
But the cause of swelling and numbness of the upper lip may be a disease of a neurological nature. For example, a disease of the teeth or gums, as well as neuritis of the facial nerve, progressing due to a failure in the impulse function of the facial muscles, that is, a rupture in the sending signal from the brain and taking in the nerve endings of the face. If neuritis is accompanied by an inflammatory process, then the total symptomatology in the form of a swollen and numb lip is obtained.
But in any case it is advisable to seek medical advice. It is better to make sure that there is no pathology than to miss the disease at an early stage, when it can still be treated with more gentle methods.
Pain in the tooth as the cause of swelling of the upper lip
Before you make a diagnosis, you need to understand the nature of the pain, how you feel the pain symptoms: it has a constant aching character or pulsating. Whether symptoms are observed when pain is given to the area of the temple or ear, as well as the concomitant symptomatology. Proceeding from this, as well as when the tooth is aching and the upper lip is swollen, it is possible to specify the diagnosis. Perhaps this is a flux or there is an exacerbation of periodontitis.
If, in the concomitant symptomatology, the inflammation affecting the root of the tooth is seen, while dull, persistent pain, swelling, bleeding from the gums and mobility near the underlying tooth are frequent, the patient will soon be diagnosed with periodontitis.
When does the baby have a swollen upper lip?
If the child has swollen upper lip, then, in addition to the already specified reasons for the appearance of such symptoms, there may be more stomatitis, as it is also called - the disease of unwashed hands. This is an infantile disease, although an adult who does not adhere to the elementary rules of hygiene, is not immune from it.
During the course of the disease, puffiness can be observed throughout the surface of the oral mucosa. The upper lip can also swallow the swelling. A concomitant symptom of the disease are small sores covering the entire surface of the oral cavity. During this period, the child becomes capricious, refuses to eat, since eating causes a little man unpleasant painful sensations. Therefore, it is necessary to show the baby to a pediatrician who will prescribe effective antiseptic drugs. If this is not possible, it is necessary to rinse the mouth with solutions that have disinfectant properties, and decoctions of herbs having the same characteristics, for example, calendula, oak bark, sage, will do.
Another reason that a child has swollen upper lip, may be an allergic reaction to food, some plants, chemicals, animal hair. If parents have already encountered such a situation and know to which irritant the organism of their baby responds with an allergy, then such contact should be avoided. If this can not be done, it is necessary to give the child the necessary antihistamine and necessarily show up to the pediatrician. In case the reaction occurred the first time, the more it is necessary to go to the doctor. Only he is able to recognize the problem, to specify the stimulus and to prescribe adequate therapy.
It will not be superfluous to show the baby to the children's dentist, since this problem can be associated with pathological lesions of the teeth and / or gums, and such a symptomatology is capable of giving cutting dairy and permanent teeth - this reaction is embedded in the norm of the natural process. But to consult at the doctor nevertheless costs, especially if the process proceeds with the raised temperature.
And lastly, do not forget that the baby is a very inquisitive and moving little man, so the swelling of the upper lip can be the result of a bruise. If the wound is small, then you should not worry, it will be sufficient to treat it with iodine. Over time, the swelling will pass by itself.
The cause of such symptoms may be problems that have arisen in the baby's gastrointestinal tract. Here, without more serious examination and treatment is indispensable.
Who to contact?
What to do if the upper lip is swollen?
In order to protect yourself further from such discomfort as swelling of the upper lip, it is worthwhile to heed some recommendations and stick to them:
- In the case of a stay in nature it is worth to protect yourself and your loved ones from bites of various insects and mosquitoes, using special means.
- If there is swelling of the upper lip (and if it is accompanied by pain symptoms), do not delay the visit to the doctor, so as not to aggravate the situation.
- Try to get rid of bad habits.
But still, what to do if the upper lip is swollen? Any disease catches a person by surprise. A stocky patient, in his medicine cabinet has means that can help in every particular case. But if there is not one, then before consulting a doctor, you can use improvised drugs to ease the pathology.
For this you can refer to the old, proven tips of our ancestors:
- You can use the juice of aloe. For maximum efficiency it is necessary to use a plant that is at least three years old. Cut the leaf, get the juice, moisten the cotton swab in it and apply for 15 - 20 minutes to the harassing place.
- Get a pasty scrub by injecting a small amount of water into the soda. Then put it on the harassing plot. After keeping within 10 minutes, rinse with warm water.
- Make a mixture of equal proportions of Fuller's land and turmeric, with the help of water bring to the consistency of thick sour cream. The medicine should be applied to the swelling, hold for about 20 minutes, then wash with warm water.
- Apply a thin layer on the cotton swab. Keep such a compress for 20 minutes, then shake. The procedure is done several times.
- You can use the usual tea bag, keeping it as a compress in a sore spot. Pre-sachet should be lowered for several minutes in warm water, then slightly squeezed and can be used.
Treatment of a swollen upper lip
In connection with multiple, diverse, causes of pathology, it is impossible to unequivocally describe the treatment of a swollen upper lip. But it is worth remembering the most common.
If the cause of the disease is a bruise, and it is associated with damage to the skin surface, the doctor will prescribe one of the antiseptic drugs, for example, such as chlorhexidine, miramistin, ointment solcoseryl or actovegin, to treat the sore spot. You can use such essential oils as sea-buckthorn, olive or lanolin.
Miramistin ointment is used in place. Its thin layer is applied to the disturbing site, it is desirable to cover it from above with a sterile bandage or a sterile patch. The procedure can be repeated several times a day until the problem is stopped. Do not use this medication only if the patient shows increased sensitivity to the components of the drug.
If the swelling is a consequence of an insect bite, it is worth applying a cooling compress applied to the harassing place. It can be ice wrapped in a clean napkin. You can use mosquito cream, which is not difficult to find on the shelves of any pharmacy today.
With an allergic reaction to the stimulus, the first thing to do is to remove the cause of the effect, and then take any antihistamine drug. For example, it can be dimedrol, suprastin, claritin, kestin, diazolin. Such drugs perfectly lower muscle tone, have holinoliticheskim, sedative, hypnotic effect, as well as a light anesthetic characteristic.
Zaditen is injected into the body of the patient along with the food. The starting dosage is 1 mg of the drug, administered twice a day. In case of clinical necessity, the amount of the drug can be doubled. Duration of admission is determined by the attending physician, depending on the effectiveness of therapy.
Do not use the drug when the patient's hypersensitivity to its components, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. With extreme caution, if a history of the patient has liver dysfunction or epilepsy.
If the cause of edema is herpes, then the treatment of the swollen upper lip is reduced to taking antihistamines and special ointments. It can be acyclovir, herpevir, zovirax.
Acyclovir ointment is applied to the affected area up to five times throughout the day, with an interval of one hour. The duration of the treatment course is from five to ten days. It should be applied very carefully, so as not to tear off the skin of the skin. The drug is not recommended for use in cases of hypersensitivity of the patient's body to the components of the drug.
If the swelling of the upper lip is the result of the habit of already obtrusive biting. In this situation, you need to "pull yourself together" and abandon the addiction.
The edema of the upper lip is caused by a viral or other infection, then it is necessary to stop this disease and the symptomatology will pass by itself. In this situation, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive treatment, including the use of immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs. In the case of purulent infiltrates and abscesses (this also applies to dental problems), surgical intervention may be necessary.
Immunostimulants of plant origin: immunal, Echinacea liquidus. And as bacterial immunomodulators: imudon, broncho-munal, IRS 19, ribomunil.
Imudon is used by patients who are already three years old. In the case of an acute period of the disease, up to eight tablets can be taken during the day, maintaining an interval of two to three hours. The duration of therapy is up to 10 days. The only contraindication to taking the drug may be the hypersensitivity of the patient's body to the components of the drug.
Primarily you can take antiviral medications homeopathic supplies - this is ocilococcinum, aflubin, viburkol.
Oscillococcinum is taken internally. One granule is placed under the tongue and held there until completely dissolved. Primarily the drug is taken with an interval of six hours. After the severity of the disease is knocked out, the interval between doses increases. Duration of treatment from one to three days.
It is not recommended to use the drug in case of hypersensitivity to its component composition, glucose-galactose malabsorption, when there is a shortage of sugarase and isomaltase in the body, as well as in case of intolerance to fructose.
If no improvement is observed after the first day of admission, it is better to replace the medicine with an antiviral substance of chemical origin. It can be tamiflu, remantadine, arbidol, ribavirin.
The dosage and method of remantadine use depends on the age of the patient:
- To children of seven - ten years prescribe to drink on one tablet a dosage of 50 mg twice a day.
- If the patient's age falls within the period from 11 to 14 years, a teenager is credited with taking one tablet of the same dosage three times a day.
The duration of therapy is five days.
Do not prescribe remantadine if a history of the patient is diagnosed with:
- Kidney pathology, which is acute or chronic.
- Thyrotoxicosis is a condition associated with an excess of thyroid hormones in the body.
- Acute period of liver disease.
- Pregnancy.
- Time of feeding a newborn baby with breast milk.
- Intolerance of the patient's body to adamantane derivatives or other components of the drug.
Summarizing the above, it is worthwhile to understand that if the upper lip is swollen, the first thing to do is to try with improvised means to reduce it and analyze the previous actions. This will help establish the root cause of the pathology. But it will not be superfluous to go to a consultation with a doctor. Do not forget that your health and the health of your baby is in your hands and the faster the medical care is provided, the greater the complications will be avoided.