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What Causes Swollen Lips?
Question: My 11 year old son just woke up and the left side of his bottom lip is swollen…it came out of nowhere. its hard to the touch. what is it??
Brief Answer:
Allergic reaction likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
A sudden onset lip swelling like this usually results from an allergic reaction to some insult. Since this was noticed on waking up,an insect bite is likely.
If he is not having other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, itching or rash on other parts of body, difficulty in breathing etc, this need not be worried much. Just continue Benadryl 5 ml 3-4 times a day for 3 days.If it gets better, we can discontinue after that. Otherwise, if it remains as such or other mentioned features appears, kindly see your doctor without delay as this may need intravenous anti histamines and steroids.
Hope this will answer your query.
Wishing for a faster cure.
Thank you.
Allergic reaction likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
A sudden onset lip swelling like this usually results from an allergic reaction to some insult. Since this was noticed on waking up,an insect bite is likely.
If he is not having other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, itching or rash on other parts of body, difficulty in breathing etc, this need not be worried much. Just continue Benadryl 5 ml 3-4 times a day for 3 days.If it gets better, we can discontinue after that. Otherwise, if it remains as such or other mentioned features appears, kindly see your doctor without delay as this may need intravenous anti histamines and steroids.
Hope this will answer your query.
Wishing for a faster cure.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you for your response..He did say he felt his chest a bit tight, but I think this has given him some anxiety. I am worried about anaphylaxis. How long do I wait until I can feel comfortable that won't happen?? He was laying with our cat but has never had an allergic reaction to him before. Would a bug bit make just one half of his bottom lip swell? Bed bugs?? What kind of bugs??
Brief Answer:
Anaphylaxis unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
From your description, I think anaphylaxis is unlikely. Anaphylaxis usually appears shortly after the exposure, and will be associated with the features I mentioned early. If he has no wheez or difficulty in breathing, mild chest tightness need not be considered significant. So just watch the course for coming 6-8 hours. If it begins to step down, need not worry.
Yes, bug bite can cause this (bed bug or any other type of insect).
Hope now you got cleared.
Take care.
Thank you.
Anaphylaxis unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
From your description, I think anaphylaxis is unlikely. Anaphylaxis usually appears shortly after the exposure, and will be associated with the features I mentioned early. If he has no wheez or difficulty in breathing, mild chest tightness need not be considered significant. So just watch the course for coming 6-8 hours. If it begins to step down, need not worry.
Yes, bug bite can cause this (bed bug or any other type of insect).
Hope now you got cleared.
Take care.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Thank you for your response. Today his lip is a little better but still swollen. He complains it hurts but is able to eat on the other side of his mouth. He isn't complaining of any other symptoms so should I continue Benadryl? I gave him Tylenol for the pain. Should I take him to the doctor?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
You can wait.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Sorry for the delay.Got a bit busy today.
As the swelling started getting better, nothing to worry and you can wait. We can expect full recovery in 5-7 days.
You have to continue Benadryl for 3-5 days. If it hurts, you can add Tylenol also for first 3 days.
Be careful to avoid accidental bite of the swollen lip as this may lead to secondary infection and delay in recovery.
Hope you got cleared.
Wishing for a faster and complete cure.
Thank you.
You can wait.
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Sorry for the delay.Got a bit busy today.
As the swelling started getting better, nothing to worry and you can wait. We can expect full recovery in 5-7 days.
You have to continue Benadryl for 3-5 days. If it hurts, you can add Tylenol also for first 3 days.
Be careful to avoid accidental bite of the swollen lip as this may lead to secondary infection and delay in recovery.
Hope you got cleared.
Wishing for a faster and complete cure.
Thank you.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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