Tingling lips can be caused by allergies, infections, blood chemistry imbalances, neurological problems, and panic attacks. It’s important to see a doctor for an evaluation and treatment. Food allergies and herpes are common causes, while blood chemistry imbalances and Raynaud’s phenomenon can also play a role. Panic attacks can also cause tingling lips.
Tingling lips can be a symptom of allergies, infections, blood chemistry imbalances, and neurological problems. Numbness, tingling, warmth, and other strange sensations in the lips are symptoms, rather than independent conditions, and it’s important to see a doctor for an evaluation. Your doctor can conduct an exam, recommend diagnostic tests, and develop an explanation. Once your doctor determines the cause, it can be treated and the tingling should resolve.
A very common reason for experiencing tingling lips is a food allergy. Lips are sensitive and when people consume foods they are allergic to, lips can be the first warning signs. If the lips become tingly or swollen, people should take note of the foods they have recently consumed. Allergies can vary in severity, and sometimes food allergies are limited to mild discomfort around the lips and mouth. In other cases, the tingling may be followed by more serious allergy symptoms such as airway closure and skin rashes.
Infections, especially herpes, can also cause tingling lips. People with herpes commonly notice tingling just before an outbreak, and other types of viral, bacterial and fungal infections of the mouth can also cause tingling. The lips can also be itchy. Other signs of infection, such as lesions, discoloration, and strong odors can develop as the infectious organism takes hold.
Blood chemistry can also play a role, particularly in the case of changes in calcium levels. Tingling lips can be a sign of hormonal imbalances. Neurological problems such as damage to the facial nerves can also cause the condition. Another potential culprit is Raynaud’s phenomenon, in which blood vessels contract in response to cold. The spasms restrict blood flow, causing tingling, numbness, and discomfort. People exposed to extreme cold may experience tingling lips without any underlying pathology as their bodies react to the cold.
Sometimes, people develop tingling lips during a panic attack. In panic attacks, the body floods with hormones as a fight or flight response develops. It is common to experience numbness, tingling, and other abnormal sensations in the extremities. The patient may also feel weak, dizzy or sweaty. The physical symptoms of a panic attack can be quite severe and can be disabling for some patients, making it important to find out why a person experiences such attacks. Medications are available to deal with panic attacks when they occur, and patients can also use therapy to explore the underlying causes and develop coping skills to prevent future attacks.
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