Swollen Lower Lip Causes

There are several reasons for why a swelling in the lower lips could come about. In this following HealthHearty article, we will highlight these causes and go into more detail about the same.

There are times when you find that you have a swollen bottom lip, which may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms. These symptoms typically include discoloration (appearance of a dark, red, purple or blue color), swelling in the corner folds of the mouth (or swollen lip on one side), lump at the corners resulting in an inability to close the mouth, entire lower lip swelling which increases the thickness of the mouth and makes the lips appear larger than normal, bleeding of lips, pain and discomfort when touched, hardened and rubbery texture, emergence of blisters causing swelling of lower cheeks at times. All these are typical symptoms that come about when there is random swollen lip.

In the following sections of this HealthHearty article, we will highlight the varied swollen lower lip causes and help you identify the possible causes behind the swollen lower lips.

Swollen Bottom Lip Causes

Many times, a person might feel that there is bottom lip swollen for no reason, which is not the case. There are always certain causes that prompt the symptoms to emerge. The probable causes of this condition have been discussed below.

Allergic Reactions

One of the most common causes of swelling on lower lip is one that is brought on due to an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction can be of several types. One can be allergic to certain foods like nuts or seafood―peanuts, sun flower seeds, fish, lobsters; or have an allergy of dust, pollen grains, dander, and other elements that are present in the environment. At times, an insect bite like a bee, wasp, or hornet sting could also trigger an allergic reaction and lead to swollen lips. When a person develops an allergic reaction, it causes itchy lips, swollen tongue, tingling in lips, and swollen lip.

Medication

Use of certain medication forms for hives, psoriasis, eczema, etc. can lead to swollen lips. This indicates that the person has developed a side effect to the drug, and that he/she should discontinue the medication under the guidance of a medical professional.

Acromegaly

Acromegaly is a syndrome that occurs due to excessive production of growth hormone (hGH). It leads to soft tissue swelling that causes enlargement of hands, feet, nose, ears, as well as lips. This condition usually affects people in their middle age.

Mucopolysaccharidosis

A group of metabolic disorders is called mucopolysaccharidosis. It occurs due to lysosomal enzymes that can no longer break down glycosaminoglycans. It causes development of rough physical features like flat nasal bridge, enlarged mouth, tongue, as well as thick lips. There are many other symptoms associated with the condition, of which dwarfism is the most prominent one.

Injury

Lower lip injury can lead to swelling. An injury can be of several forms. It could come about with an accidental biting of one’s own lips while eating or when in deep thought (this leads to tissue tear), using force while rubbing or washing the face (and thereby the mouth), getting into a nasty fight, or pressure applied on the lips for any other reason.

Environmental Conditions

Extreme temperatures could also lead to a swelling of lips. In case of extreme heat, the UV rays of the sun affect the lips, causing extreme dryness and swelling and bring about roughness. Extreme cold temperatures have a similar effect and cause tissue damage and swelling. Eating or drinking food and beverages that are too cold or too hot can lead to a swollen lower lip temporarily. Smoking and chewing of tobacco could also lead to the same.

Infections

Many times, cracked lips allow an entry of bacteria and viruses into the area, which could lead to an infection. This causes painful infections and swelling of lips. Herpes virus is one such infectious agent that causes blister formation around the mouth and leads to inflammation of lips.

Nutritional Deficiency

Deficiency of vital vitamins and minerals in the diet can lead to swelling of lower lips. In many cases, lower lip inflammation indicates deficiency of vitamin B.

Cheilitis Glandularis

This is a disorder that causes inversion of position as well as swelling of the lower lip. The cause of this condition is unknown and leads to ulcers, crusts, mucous gland hyperplasia, abscess, and swelling.

The swelling that comes about on the lower lips can be treated with an application of an ice compress. This helps reduce the swelling and the pain that might accompany the swelling. It is also recommended that one eat cold yogurt to reduce inflammation and avoid the intake of any hot beverage. Many corticosteroids and inflammatory drugs help reduce the swelling as well. If the swelling persists for more than 5 days, it is advised that one consult a doctor immediately, such that the exact cause of the condition can be determined, and a proper treatment plan can be brought into effect.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.