Numbness of the upper lip is provoked by neurological and dental pathologies, allergies, beriberi, herpes zoster, and some neurotic disorders. It can be short-term, long-term or permanent, combined with numbness of other areas of the face, or observed in isolation. To determine the cause of the symptom, a survey, external, dental and neurological examination is carried out, computed tomography, and laboratory tests are used. The tactics of treatment is determined by the etiology of numbness, painkillers and antimicrobial agents, antidepressants are used. Operations are sometimes shown.
The appearance of a symptom is provoked by the intake of too cold or too hot food. Numbness can also be due to previous irritation of the upper lip with pepper or hot spices. At the same time, similar sensations are observed in the tongue, oral mucosa. Manifestations quickly disappear after the termination of contact with the product.
At sub-zero temperatures, strong winds, high humidity, the lips are easily weathered, covered with crusts. Crusts worsen the perception of tactile stimuli by nerve receptors, so their formation is accompanied by a feeling of numbness, which is complemented by a feeling of tightness due to a decrease in skin elasticity, the appearance of cracks.
In women, a decrease in the sensitivity of the lips can be explained by individual intolerance to cosmetics (lipstick, lip gloss). Local itching, burning, signs of skin irritation are possible. In some cases, the symptom is due to an incorrectly performed tattoo procedure or mistakes in lip care in the first days after the manipulation.
One of the most common causes of upper lip numbness is dental and gum disease. The symptom is especially noticeable in severe inflammatory processes, accompanied by severe swelling of the oral mucosa, soft tissues of the face. It is provoked by flux, periodontitis, gingivitis. In addition, numbness of the lips is observed after dental procedures performed under local anesthesia.
Isolated numbness of the upper lip rarely develops, due to traumatization of small branches n. maxillaris for bruises, open wounds of this anatomical region. A more common violation of sensitivity, simultaneously covering the upper part of the cheek, the lateral surface of the face, the outer corner of the eye, the lower eyelid is caused by damage to the trunk n. maxillaris, which is the second branch of the trigeminal nerve. It is found in fractures of the upper jaw, zygomatic bone, compression by tumors.
Upper lip numbness
In patients with migraine with aura, an attack of cephalalgia may be preceded by a transient disturbance of sensitivity in the arm, extending to half of the face, upper lip. In the future, the attack proceeds as usual. There is a throbbing or pressing pain in half of the head, nausea, slight dizziness, high susceptibility to bright light, loud sounds.
Numbness of the upper lip, other parts of the face and body is part of the clinical picture of a transient stroke or stroke. The symptom occurs against the background of headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting, vegetative-vascular manifestations (trembling, sweating, hot flashes), short-term disorder of consciousness. Possible hemiparesis, reduced strength of certain muscle groups or one limb, facial asymmetry, speech disorders.
Numbness of the lips is sometimes detected in patients suffering from severe diabetes mellitus, develops due to severe hypoglycemia when using too high doses of insulin, eating disorders. It is combined with pallor, sweating, tachycardia, hand trembling. There is a feeling of fear, arousal, followed by drowsiness, confusion, fainting. Without help, coma is possible.
Numbness is caused by rapidly increasing swelling of the eyelids, cheeks, upper and lower lips. Quincke's edema is formed against the background of an acute allergic reaction upon contact with pollen, animal hair, food, and other allergens. May be due to pseudo-allergy. The condition develops suddenly within a few minutes, less often - hours. Hypesthesia is often combined with skin itching, lacrimation, the appearance of copious discharge from the nose, and difficulty breathing.
The cause of the pathology is the virus that persists in the body, causing chickenpox. Symptoms of shingles can appear many years or even decades after a viral infection. The upper lip, as well as other parts of the face, become numb due to trigeminal neuritis. Typically simultaneous involvement of the intercostal nerves, rash along the affected nerve trunks.
The disease often manifests with weakness in the legs, combined with sensitivity disorders. Numbness and paresthesia are detected in the face, upper lip, torso, limbs. There is a high probability of developing optic neuritis with reversible visual loss. Subsequently, with multiple sclerosis, paresis, symptoms of cerebellar damage, pyramidal disorders, and dysfunction of the pelvic organs are observed.
The disease is caused by impaired hematopoiesis against the background of vitamin B-12 deficiency. Manifested by weakness, tachycardia, dizziness, pale skin, puffiness of the face. Possible hypesthesia of the upper lip, other areas of the face or limbs, changes in gait associated with neurological disorders. A characteristic feature of pernicious anemia is a "lacquered tongue".
Loss of sensation in various parts of the body is most common in patients with hysterical neurosis. Complaints of patients do not fit into the picture of a certain somatic pathology, they are distinguished by pretentiousness, unusualness. Upper lip numbness is also sometimes seen in people with anxiety disorders. May be part of the clinical picture of a panic attack or occur with an increase in anxiety levels.
Determining the cause of numbness is the responsibility of a neurologist. Due to the likely association of upper lip sensitivity disorders and dental pathologies, a dentist is often involved in the examination. Sometimes consultation with an allergist or endocrinologist is required. The diagnostic program includes the following methods:
Electroneuromyography
Numbness due to the use of seasonings, hot and cold foods does not require treatment, it goes away on its own. If the sensitivity of the upper lip has decreased due to the use of improperly selected cosmetics, you should give the skin a rest, and then apply another product. When chapping lips, it is recommended to use hygienic lipstick, fatty nourishing creams.
With unsharply expressed allergy symptoms, an independent intake of an antiallergic agent is acceptable, with a toothache - the use of an analgesic. To determine the cause of numbness, you should consult a doctor. Progressive deterioration of the condition, severe headache, increased edema and other alarming symptoms are an indication for an urgent consultation with a specialist.
The list of therapeutic measures depends on the cause of the symptom. Given the nature of the pathology, the following therapeutic methods are recommended for patients with numbness of the upper lip:
In case of damage or compression of the trigeminal nerve, nerve suture, neurolysis, and removal of tumors are required. Patients with injuries may be shown osteosynthesis of the upper jaw or zygomatic bone. Patients suffering from dental diseases undergo tooth extraction, treatment of pulpitis and periodontitis. Gingivoplasty, gingivectomy, patchwork operations, opening of the abscess of the oral cavity are performed. With strokes, anastomoses, arterial reconstruction, thrombolysis, aneurysm occlusion are possible.