Lip swelling can occur due to several reasons; it can be due to traumatic injury, an allergic reaction to drugs and cosmetic products, and even from a cold sore or a fever blister. Cold sore is caused due to herpes simplex virus. Often the lip remains swollen even after the cold sore has healed due to precipitating infection and inflammation.
Swelling and itching is discomforting for the patient, even though the condition is not serious issue. Several home remedies are worth a try to reduce lip swelling from cold sores, before you opt for prescription medications or lotions.
How Do Cold Sores Cause Lip Swelling?
Cold sores are viral infection caused by herpes virus simplex. The virus enters into the body through broken skin or from abraded mucus tissue of the mouth when a person comes in contact with an infected person. Cold sores are therefore contagious.
After entering in the body, the virus remains latent for a period of time in the central nervous system. It may get reactivated when the circumstances are favorable for it.
One of the causes of lip swelling is cold sores. It can be triggered due to;
- Low immunity that is often seen in influenza, and various other virus infection.
- The lips may become swollen due to lip sores that are common with high fever.
- Change in weather is responsible for its appearance. The bumpy look of lip results from reactionary inflammation caused due to lip sores.
- Stress and anxiety often leads to low immune system which facilitates the latent herpes simplex virus to reactivate. It thus contributes in development of lip sores in people who harbor herpes simplex virus.
- Lip tattooing, skin treatment such as dermabrasion, etc can also cause lip swelling and sores on lip.
Symptoms Of Lip Swelling Due To Cold Sore
Lip swelling is itself a symptom caused due to cold sores. However, there are many other accompanying symptoms that may be observed with cold sores.
- Burning and tingling in the lips.
- Red swollen lips.
- A blister filled with fluid on the corner of lip or any area of the lip.
- Painful swollen gland in neck.
- Painful ulcers on the lip.
- Raised body temperature.
- Movement of jaw is painful.
- Difficulty in chewing food.
- Nausea and soreness in throat
- Itching on the area around the sore.
- Pain in the mouth.
Home Remedies For Swollen Lip From Cold Sore
Cold sores normally take one week to heal. However, even after healing the lips remain swollen for a long period of time. There are several home remedies that are effective in reducing the swelling faster.
- Clean the lips with sterilized water or an antiseptic solution taking care that it does not seep in the mouth.
- Take few ice cubes in a clean towel and place it on the swollen lip for five minutes. Apply it frequently in a day. It helps to reduce swelling quickly.
- Extract juice from fresh aloe vera leaves. Soak a cotton ball in the juice and press it gently over the lip. If fresh juice is not available you can apply aloe vera gel.
- Keep your lips moist as it helps to reduce swelling caused by sores. Apply coconut oil on your lips. Coconut oil is good moisturizer. It also has some antiviral properties that help to heal the sore quickly.
- Build you immune system by eating healthy food. Eat vegetables and fruits as they are rich source of vitamins and minerals. Both are useful to boost immune system.