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This article was co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Numbness often goes away on its own, but you can try some quick fixes to help get rid of a numb lip. If you suspect an allergic reaction, try taking an antihistamine or anti-inflammatory or if your lip is also swollen, apply a cold compress. If there’s no swelling, apply a warm compress and try massaging your lips to increase blood flow. For persistent numbness, work with your doctor to identify and manage an underlying cause. Numbness in your lips is usually a passing symptom, but be aware of more serious symptoms that cause numbness, such as stroke and TIA. If dizziness, confusion, difficulty speaking, or other serious symptoms accompany lip numbness, you should seek emergency medical care immediately.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Trying Quick Fixes
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1Take an antihistamine. Numb or tingling lips could be related to a mild allergic reaction, especially when accompanied by itching, swelling, or an upset stomach. Try taking over-the-counter allergy medication to manage numb or tingling lips and any accompanying symptoms.[1]
- Note the food and drinks you consumed prior to the onset of your symptoms. Try to identify and eliminate the possible allergen from your diet. If you used a lip balm or similar product before experiencing numbness, stop using it.
- In severe food allergies, numbness and tingling can precede anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic response that requires immediate medical care. Call your local emergency services and use an auto-injector such as an Epi-Pen if you have one.
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2Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If swelling accompanies your numbness, apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. Swelling and numbness could result from an insect bite, a bump or other minor trauma, or allergies.[2]
- Swelling could put too much pressure on facial nerves, which can cause numbness.
- You can also take an anti-inflammatory medication to help decrease swelling.
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3Apply a warm compress if no swelling is present. If no swelling is present, avoid using a cold compress. The issue could be related to a lack of blood flow to your lips, and applying a warm compress can help increase blood flow.[3]
- Decreased blood flow could be a simple reaction to cold temperatures or could indicate an underlying issue, such as Raynaud’s disease. If you experience additional symptoms, such as numbness in your extremities, contact your doctor.
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4Massage or wiggle the affected area. In addition to applying a warm compress, you could try massaging your lips to warm them and increase blood flow. Try moving your mouth and lips around and exhaling air between your lips to vibrate them.[4]
- Wash your hands before and after massaging your lips.
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5Use medication to minimize discomfort a cold sore. Numbness and tingling can occur just before a cold sore develops. If you suspect lip numbness might be due to a cold sore, apply an over-the-counter medicated ointment, such as Abreva, or talk to your doctor about a prescription antiviral pill. Use your over-the-counter remedy multiple times a day to speed up healing and make your cold sore less painful[5]
- You could also try a homeopathic remedy such as holding a slice of garlic over a cold sore for 10 to 15 minutes. However, even home remedies should be discussed with your doctor before use.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Managing an Underlying Cause
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1Ask your doctor if your medications can cause numbness. Some medications, such as prednisone, can cause facial numbness. Contact your doctor promptly if you believe you’re experiencing any side effects due to a medication.[6]
- Some blood pressure medications, such as propranolol and ACE inhibitors may cause a numb sensation in your lips and mouth.[7]
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medications you take and ask about their side effects or potential interactions. Ask them to recommend an alternative if you believe medication is causing your lip numbness.
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2Ask if you might have a vitamin B deficiency. Among other problems, a vitamin B-12 deficiency may lead to nerve damage which could cause tingling and numbness in your hands and feet, as well as muscle weakness. Ask your doctor if they recommend a blood test to diagnose a vitamin deficiency and whether you should take a supplement.[8]
- You could be at risk of a vitamin B deficiency if you’re over 50, a vegetarian, have had weight-loss surgery, recovering from an illness, have a condition that interferes with food absorption, or take medications such as Nexium, Prevacid, or Zantac.
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3Talk to your doctor about Raynaud’s disease. If you consistently experience numbness in your face, hands, or feet, along with coldness or discoloration, ask your doctor if Raynaud’s disease is a possible cause. Raynaud’s disease occurs when small arteries that supply blood to the skin narrow, which leads to decreased blood circulation.
- If your doctor suspects Raynaud’s disease, they’ll administer a physical exam and blood screening to make an accurate diagnosis.
- To manage Raynaud’s disease, you should avoid cold temperatures, wear hats and gloves, avoid smoking, and try to minimize emotional stress.
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4Make a follow-up appointment if you’ve had recent dental work. While a local anesthetic following a dental procedure can cause lip numbness for two or three hours, prolonged numbness could indicate a complication. If you experience persistent numbness after a dental implant, filling, wisdom tooth extraction, or other dental procedure, schedule a follow-up visit with your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible.[9]
- Numbness after an oral procedure could indicate nerve damage or an abscess.
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5Ask your dentist or oral surgeon to prescribe phentolamine. If you’re about to have a dental procedure, you can ask your dentist or oral surgeon for medication to counteract the numbness that results after local anesthesia. OraVerse, or phentolamine mesylate, is an injectable medication that increases blood flow to soft tissues and helps to speed up the return of normal sensation.[10]
- Tell your dentist or oral surgeon if you have a history of heart or blood vessel issues. It should not be used in patients with a history of cardiovascular disorders.
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6Monitor your blood pressure. Tingling in your lips could be a sign of both high and low blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly, or purchase a machine to check yourself at home. If you already know you have either high or low blood pressure, take your medication as prescribed, and let your doctor know if the problem persists.[11]
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7Take care of your mental health. Hyperventilating during an anxiety attack or panic attack could lead to numbness or tingling in parts of your body. Practice a few stress relief techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation, to help you feel relaxed and maintain a good mindset.[12]
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8Check your cosmetic dyes. Many people report allergies to the red dyes used in cosmetics such as lipsticks. In addition to tingling, such an allergy may cause numbness and break-outs or bumps around the mouth. If you notice these symptoms, talk to your doctor to see if any treatment is necessary.[13]
- While the area around your mouth heals, avoid wearing lipsticks or other cosmetics in the area impacted by the infection.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Seeking Medical Care
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1Seek emergency care if more serious symptoms accompany numbness. If dizziness, difficulty speaking, confusion, sudden severe headache, weakness, or paralysis accompany numbness, you should get immediate medical attention. You should also seek emergency medical care if numbness occurs suddenly after any form of head injury.[14]
- In serious cases, a CT scan or MRI will be necessary to rule out a severe head injury, stroke, hematoma, tumor, or other life-threatening condition.
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2Seek emergency care for anaphylaxis. In serious allergic reactions, numbness can precede anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. Contact emergency services and, if possible, administer an Epipen if these symptoms accompany numbness:[15]
- Swelling of the mouth and throat
- Skin redness or rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restricted airway
- Hyperventilating or difficulty breathing
- Collapse or unconsciousness
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3See your doctor if numbness worsens or persists. Numbness in any part of your body usually goes away on its own. However, it could be related to a number of mild or severe medical conditions, so you shouldn’t ignore a case of persistent numbness. If your lip numbness gradually worsens or doesn’t go away, schedule an appointment with your primary doctor.[16]
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Warnings
- Never stop taking a medication or begin a vitamin supplement regimen without first consulting your doctor.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- If you experience any additional facial numbness, or if the tingling sensation lasts longer than 24 hours, contact your doctor immediately, as this may be an indicator of a larger underlying condition or disease.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=40649
- ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=p00918
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/raynauds-disease/
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/raynauds-disease/
- ↑ https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/medical/common-student-concerns/cold-sores/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601102.html
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/sfx/propranolol-side-effects.html
- ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4533199/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3386412/
- ↑ http://www.healthhype.com/chest-pain-tingling-throat-and-lips-and-shortness-of-breath.html
- ↑ https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hypvn
- ↑ https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/contact-reactions-to-lipsticks-and-other-lipcare-products/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21015-numbness
- ↑ https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/symptoms-and-conditions/numb-lips
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21015-numbness
About This Article
Article SummaryX
If your lip is numb, try taking an antihistamine, since the numbness could be a symptom of a mild allergic reaction. Or, if your lip is swollen, apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling. Alternatively, if your lip isn’t swollen, apply a warm compress to help increase blood flow to the area. If none of these remedies help, or if you have serious symptoms, like a swollen throat, dizziness, confusion, weakness, or a severe headache, seek emergency medical care right away, as you may have a more serious medical condition. To learn how to rule out allergies to your makeup, read on!
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Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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