Lip edema develops in injuries, burns, cosmetic manipulations, allergic reactions, local infections, tumors, dental pathologies, and some other conditions. It is caused by the accumulation of fluid in loose fibrous connective tissue. Perhaps local or total involvement of the lower, upper lip or both lips. In some cases, a connection with environmental conditions and other factors is revealed. Diagnosis is carried out on the basis of a survey, examination, laboratory tests. Before the diagnosis is established, topical emollients and anti-inflammatory agents may be used.
A variety of mechanical effects is one of the most common causes of lip edema. The symptom appears as a result of a fall, accidental or intentional blow to the face. It is characterized by asymmetric location, the presence of hematomas and abrasions. Minor lesions with slight local swelling of one lip are the result of damage by a toothpick or dental floss. In some people, swelling occurs as a result of constant self-harm - the habit of biting the lip.
Lip burns are usually superficial, in addition to swelling, hyperemia, soreness, sometimes peeling, and crusting are observed. Thermal burns are detected after ingestion of too hot liquids and food, contact of the lips with heated dishes. After prolonged exposure to the sun, sunburn is possible. Chemical burns are more often severe, provoked by the accidental or intentional use of aggressive substances.
In the summer, the lip may swell due to an insect bite. In women, the symptom often occurs as a result of cosmetic procedures: piercing, tattooing, contouring. Significant swelling of the lips is noted in the first days after plastic surgery: lipofilling, VY plastic surgery, lip shape correction.
Allergic cheilitis is most often observed when using lipstick. Other possible cosmetic allergens are contour pencils, lip cream, toothpastes. Sometimes swelling of the lips is provoked by dentures. Citrus fruits, pineapples, and some berries cause contact allergies from food products.
Workers in chemical industries, musicians who use mouthpieces when playing wind instruments may develop occupational allergic reactions. Swelling of the lips may be associated with an allergy to an insect sting, which is different from the usual reaction due to the ingress of irritating substances into the tissues.
Allergic cheilitis is manifested by burning, itching, swelling, hyperemia of the lips against the background of limited erythema at the site of contact with the allergen. Nearby tissues usually remain intact; in some cases, there is a transition of edema to the oral mucosa and surrounding skin. A more severe form of allergy is Quincke's edema, in which the swelling diffusely spreads to the face, lips, oral mucosa, tongue, pharynx, larynx.
Atopic cheilitis, which is one of the signs of neurodermatitis, is characterized by a chronic course with seasonal exacerbations. Medicines, plant pollen, household dust, food products, etc. act as allergens. The first manifestations are edema and hyperemia, always limited by a red border. Then erythema, peeling, grooves and cracks appear.
Lip swelling
Inflammation of the red border of the lips is accompanied by swelling, redness, peeling, pain and burning. Sometimes it is complicated by the formation of bleeding ulcers, purulent crusts. It can be caused by the following forms of cheilitis:
With dental pathologies, edema spreads to the lips from adjacent soft tissues, localized mainly along their inner surface.
A common cause of asymmetrical limited swelling of the lips is the herpes virus. First, the patient feels a burning sensation, itching, local swelling. Then a group of vesicles form in the affected area, which subside after a few days with the formation of a self-falling crust. Pathology is prone to a recurrent course, acute infections, hypothermia, overheating, and a decrease in immunity become the cause of exacerbations.
Erysipelas occurs when infected with beta-hemolytic streptococcus, more often detected in patients suffering from caries, diseases of the oral cavity, diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Edema is one of the first symptoms of erysipelas, occurs on the lip, nearby mucous membranes or skin. Accompanied by severe symptoms of intoxication. Then erythema and regional lymphadenitis appear. In the future, relapses are possible.
For papillomas of the lips, edema is uncharacteristic, it appears when the formations are traumatized. With keratoacanthoma, local swelling can be found around the central funnel filled with horny masses. Cheilitis Manganotti at the initial stage is manifested by local edema, hyperemia of the lip, in the area of \u200b\u200bwhich an irregularly shaped erosion is formed. Subsequently, edema is absent or slightly expressed. With lip cancer, swelling is more often found in patients with an ulcerative form of the disease, with the decay of the neoplasm.
Rare causes of the symptom include Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, which is accompanied by recurrent swelling of the lips. During the period of exacerbation, the lips increase by 2-3 times, become dense, bluish-elastic, turn inside out, exposing the mucous membrane. Swelling of neighboring areas is possible: cheeks, eyelids, tongue. Other signs are neuritis of the facial nerve, folded tongue.
Edema of the lips and face can be observed in acute infectious diseases, other conditions accompanied by general hyperthermia. Another possible cause of swelling of diffuse swelling, including in the area of the lips, are somatic pathologies with fluid retention. Sometimes swelling is observed against the background of hypothermia or, conversely, being in conditions of high ambient temperature.
Diagnosis of diseases and pathological conditions accompanied by swelling of the lips is carried out by a dentist. According to the indications, patients are referred for consultations to an allergist or oncologist. Objective methods of examination are of the leading importance. The diagnostic program includes the following procedures:
Allergy tests
Patients are advised to refrain from eating too hot and too cold food, staying in conditions of cold and high humidity, and applying decorative cosmetics. Medical and non-medical methods are used. The tactics of treatment is determined by the cause of swelling of the lips:
Of the physiotherapeutic methods for some pathologies, UBI, ultrasound, and laser therapy can be used. In diseases that have arisen against the background of a decrease in immunity, immunocorrectors, general strengthening agents, and multivitamin preparations are prescribed.
Surgical interventions for swelling of the lips are required infrequently. Taking into account the pathology, the following operations are performed:
In the postoperative period, antibiotics, analgesics are prescribed, dressings are performed.