Numbness in the lips can be caused by allergies, sensitivities, mineral deficiencies, neurological disorders, circulatory problems, or infections. Temporary tingling is usually not serious, but regular numbness should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out serious conditions. Allergies and infections should also be evaluated. Pins and needles accompanied by other symptoms should be addressed immediately.
There are many possible causes of numbness in the lips, but the most common ones typically include allergic reactions, sensitivities, and mineral imbalances or deficiencies. Numbness or tingling that persists or does not go away after a few hours may be caused by a more serious neurological or circulatory problem or may be the result of an infection of the mouth or gums. Most of the time a temporary or light tingling isn’t serious, but it’s usually not considered “normal” either. Anyone who suffers from regular numbness should usually meet with a qualified doctor to address the issue and rule out any serious conditions.
Allergic reactions
The most common cause of temporary numbness in the lips, a condition medically known as paresthesia, is an allergic reaction to certain foods or chemicals. Food allergies often come in two forms: internal reactions, causing nausea, vomiting, and internal bloating; and external ones, which often show up as a rash or redness where the skin comes into contact with the allergen. Numbness in the lips is sometimes a sign that a person has an external allergy to a certain food or ingredient.
A temporary tingling can also occur in response to certain lipsticks, glosses or balms if a person has an allergy to any of the ingredients or dyes used in the product. In this case, numbness is often the only symptom and usually goes away once the offending product has been removed or washed away. Things can take a little longer with a food allergy, and numbness is often just one of many reactions when someone is allergic to something they’ve eaten.
Sensitivity
Lips can also go numb in response to extreme temperatures, such as drinking a hot drink or biting into an ice cream cone. Sunburn or prolonged exposure to cold or dry air can have the same effect, as can some spicy foods. People with sensitive skin are more prone to this reaction and in most cases the sensation goes away on its own. Sometimes you can speed up the process by applying a basic, no additives balm or petroleum jelly; doing so before you encounter sensitivity can often prevent it from the start.
mineral deficiencies
Numbness that seems to come and go on its own without any correlation to foods, products, or environmental exposure may be the result of a mineral deficiency. People who have low levels of sodium, potassium, or phosphate may develop a chemical imbalance in their blood that can cause numbness, tingling, or itching in the lips, hands, and feet. This problem is often resolved by taking supplements after a doctor has confirmed which mineral is low, often by a blood or urine test.
Neurological disorders
Neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia, could also be a cause, although numbness is often just one of many more serious symptoms in these cases. Disorders that affect how the nervous system works often cause sensitivity problems in many different parts of the body and can also cause breathing problems, blood pressure spikes, and heart rate irregularities.
Peripheral neuropathy can also be the cause if one of the major nerves in the lip has been damaged or compromised. This condition sometimes occurs on its own due to trauma or injury, but it can also be a symptom of another underlying condition such as diabetes, an autoimmune disorder, or the buildup of toxins in the body.
Circulatory problems
Another common cause is poor blood circulation. A constriction of blood vessels in and around the lips can cause tingling and numbness in the lips, usually only temporarily although the problem can be persistent or triggered by certain conditions. Reynaud’s disease, which causes blood vessels to spasm in response to cold, is one example.
infections
People who have open sores in their mouths or who have untreated cuts or sores on their lips or gums may experience numbness in response to the infection. Infections occur when bacterial strains begin to multiply and grow in damaged cell tissue and can cause a variety of different problems. Loss of sensation in the lips is often one of the first signs of infection, particularly if the sensation is combined with a high body temperature.
When to see a doctor
Healthy people do not normally experience numbness in the lips or elsewhere. Temporary tingling in response to change in temperature or environmental elements does not normally require medical attention, but suspected allergies should generally be evaluated, as food allergies in particular often become more intense with each exposure such that an initial reaction that has caused by just a brief tingling could progress to include swelling, rash or breathing problems over time.
In general, most experts recommend seeing a doctor or qualified healthcare professional for any numbness that doesn’t go away on its own after about an hour or that comes back repeatedly over several days. Pins and needles that is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, or loss of sensation in other parts of the body should usually get help right away.
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