Introduction
Lip swelling can have various causes. Injuries, for example from an accident, can cause lip swelling. Also in the context of an epileptic seizure, the person affected can bite his or her lip and it can swell up as a result.
Causes of a swollen lip
These injuries can result in open areas of the lip, from which it can also bleed. The open areas also provide an entry point for bacteria. These can cause inflammation of the lip.
One of the signs of inflammation is swelling – in this case on the lip. Lip swelling can also be caused by an insect bite directly on the lip or in the surrounding area of the lip, as the bite can become inflamed and swell the lip. Allergic reactions can also cause swelling of the lips.
In addition, a viral infection can cause lip swelling. Often this is a herpes infection, which belongs to the so-called herpes simplex. It can cause a cold sore of the lips, which is called herpes labiales.
Furthermore, a bacterial inflammation of the skin of the face and lips, so-called erysipelas, can cause swelling of the lips. Inflammations of the hair follicles are usually deeper lying and are called boils, which can also lead to lip swelling. In addition, intensive exposure to the sun can cause swollen lips.
Furthermore, neurological inflammatory diseases, such as Melkerson-Rosenthal syndrome, can cause swollen lips. In this case, lip swelling of unknown cause is developing and is still being researched. Furthermore, a bacterial inflammation of the skin of the face and lips, so-called erysipelas, can cause lip swelling.
Inflammations of the hair follicles are usually deeper lying and are called boils, which can also lead to lip swelling. In addition, intensive exposure to the sun can cause swollen lips. Furthermore, neurological inflammatory diseases, such as Melkerson-Rosenthal syndrome, can cause swollen lips.
In this case, lip swelling of unknown cause is developing and is still being researched. Various allergies can cause lip swelling: With all these allergies, the body of the person affected recognizes the “foreign substance” as dangerous and reacts with defense to protect the body. However, there are different types of allergies.
Allergies to insect venoms, food or medicines are usually allergies of the so-called type I or immediate type. The reactions happen immediately, within a few seconds. Different cells in the body ensure that a large amount of antibodies is released.
These are called antibodies of the type IgE. They bind to the “docking sites” of the so-called mast cells. Tissue hormones such as histamine, heparin and serotonin are then released.
This leads to vasodilation and then, for example, to swelling of the lips. Contact allergies are of allergy type IV or delayed type. The allergic reaction only becomes apparent after about 24-48 hours.
When so-called antigens have overcome the skin barriers, they are bound to the body’s own proteins. Special cells present the antigen. Then other cells of the body’s own defense system become active.
This leads to a so-called granuloma formation. Consequently, redness and swelling can be seen on the (lip) skin. In addition, some allergies, including allergies to medicines in tablet form, can be greatly delayed. In some cases, they can even appear after 48 hours.
- Allergies to an insect venom, can occur with an insect bite.
- In a food allergy, a certain food causes a swollen lip.
- In the case of a contact allergy, lip swelling is usually caused by contact with certain ingredients of a cosmetic or lip ointment.
- But also latex, which is found in balloons and disposable gloves, can cause allergies if it comes into contact with the lips.
- Furthermore, drug allergies can cause swelling of the lips.
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