How to Treat Numb Lips

Numb lips usually resolve by themselves, but there are a few quick remedies you can try to ease the sensation. Consider taking antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medication and applying a cold compress if your lips are swollen. If there is no swelling, use a warm compress and gently massage your lips to improve blood circulation. For persistent numbness, you should visit a doctor for diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause. If you experience symptoms like dizziness, confusion, difficulty speaking, or other severe symptoms alongside numb lips, it may indicate an allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention.

Take antihistamines. Numbness or a tingling sensation in the lips may be related to a mild allergic reaction, especially if accompanied by symptoms like itching, swelling, or stomach discomfort. Try over-the-counter antihistamines to relieve numbness or tingling in your lips and any associated symptoms.

• Pay attention to the foods and beverages you consumed before the symptoms appeared. Try to identify and eliminate allergens from your diet. Stop using lip balms or similar products that you used before experiencing numbness in your lips.
• In cases of severe food allergies, tingling or numbness may signal anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency care. Call emergency services and use an epinephrine injector, such as an EpiPen, if available.

Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If numbness is accompanied by swelling, place an ice pack on the affected area for 10-15 minutes. Swelling and numbness can be caused by insect bites, impact, or minor injuries, or even an allergic reaction.

• Swelling can press against facial nerves, causing numbness.
• You can also take anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce swelling.

Use a warm compress if there’s no swelling. Avoid using cold compresses if there is no swelling. The issue may be related to poor blood circulation to the lips, and a warm compress can help improve blood flow.

• Reduced blood flow could simply be a reaction to cold temperatures or a sign of an underlying condition like Raynaud’s disease. Contact your doctor if you experience additional symptoms, such as numbness in your fingers or toes.

Massage or move the affected area. In addition to using a warm compress, try gently massaging your lips to warm them and stimulate circulation. Try moving your mouth and lips or inhaling air between them to create vibrations.

• Be sure to wash your hands before and after massaging your lips.

Use medication to treat cold sores. Numbness and tingling may occur just before a cold sore appears. If you suspect a cold sore is causing the numbness, you can apply over-the-counter ointments or consult a doctor for antiviral prescriptions.

• You might also try homeopathic remedies, like placing a slice of garlic on the cold sore for 10-15 minutes. However, be sure to consult with your doctor before trying any treatment, even home remedies.

Consult your doctor to determine if the medications you're taking are causing the numbness. Certain medications, such as prednisone, may cause facial numbness. If you suspect this is a side effect of your medication, contact your doctor promptly.

• Inform your doctor or pharmacist about the medications you are currently taking and inquire about potential side effects or drug interactions. Ask about alternative medications if you believe a specific drug is causing the numbness in your lips.

Ask about a potential vitamin B deficiency. Aside from other causes, a vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to nerve damage, which may cause tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, along with muscle weakness. Ask your doctor if you should undergo a blood test to check for a deficiency and whether you should take supplements.

• People at risk for vitamin B deficiencies include those over 50, vegetarians, individuals who’ve lost weight after surgery, those with conditions that lead to malabsorption, and people taking medications such as Nexium, Prevacid, or Zantac.

Ask your doctor about Raynaud’s disease. If you frequently experience numbness in your face, hands, or feet along with cold sensations or skin discoloration, ask your doctor if it could be due to Raynaud’s disease. This condition occurs when the small arteries supplying blood to the skin narrow, reducing blood flow.

• If Raynaud’s is suspected, your doctor will conduct a physical exam and may order blood tests for a definitive diagnosis.
• To manage Raynaud’s, avoid cold temperatures, wear hats and gloves, refrain from smoking, and try to reduce stress.

Return for a follow-up visit if you recently had dental work done. Local anesthetics used during dental procedures may cause numbness in the lips for about 2-3 hours, but if the numbness persists longer, it could indicate a complication. If you experience continuous numbness after a dental implant, filling, wisdom tooth extraction, or other dental procedures, visit your dentist or oral surgeon as soon as possible.

• Post-dental numbness could signal nerve damage or an abscess.

Ask your dentist or oral surgeon about phentolamine. If you're about to undergo oral surgery, you may want to ask your dentist or oral surgeon about medications that counteract local anesthesia. OraVerse, or phentolamine mesylate, is an injectable medication that improves blood flow, softens tissues, and helps restore sensory function quickly.

• Let your dentist or surgeon know if you have a history of heart disease or vascular issues. This medication is not recommended for patients with cardiovascular conditions.

Monitor your blood pressure. Tingling in the lips may be a sign of both high and low blood pressure. It's advisable to check your blood pressure regularly, or purchase a home monitor to track it yourself. If you're aware that you have high or low blood pressure, be sure to take your prescribed medication and inform your doctor if the issue persists.

Check for dye in cosmetics. Many individuals report allergies to red dyes in cosmetics, such as lipsticks. Along with tingling, this allergic reaction can cause numbness and the development of pimples or bumps around the mouth. If you notice these symptoms, consult a doctor to determine if medical treatment is necessary.

• While waiting for the skin around your mouth to heal, avoid applying lipstick or other cosmetics to the affected area.

Seek medical attention if tingling is accompanied by severe symptoms. If you experience dizziness, difficulty speaking, confusion, sudden severe headache, weakness, or paralysis along with tingling, immediate medical care is required. You should also go to the emergency room if the tingling occurs suddenly after a head injury.

• Severe cases may require a CT scan and MRI to rule out serious head trauma, stroke, blood clots, tumors, or other life-threatening conditions.

Go to the emergency room in the event of an anaphylactic reaction. In cases of severe allergic reactions, tingling can be a warning sign of anaphylactic shock, a condition that can be fatal. Call emergency services, and if possible, use an Epipen when experiencing the following symptoms along with tingling:

• Swelling in the mouth and throat
• Red or rashy skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest tightness
• Rapid or difficulty breathing
• Fainting or loss of consciousness

See a doctor if the tingling in your lips worsens or persists. While tingling in various parts of the body often resolves on its own, it can sometimes be linked to minor or serious health conditions. Therefore, don't ignore prolonged tingling. If your lips continue to feel more numb or the sensation doesn't subside, schedule an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation.

• Never stop taking your medication or vitamin supplements without consulting your doctor first.
• If you experience additional tingling in your face, or if the sensation lasts longer than 24 hours, contact your doctor immediately, as this could indicate a more serious underlying issue.